The Power’s Out! Now What?!

Advance preparation is key for those times when the power goes out. It’s never expected, but the element of surprise doesn’t need to plunge you and your family into the dark concerning your safety. With some basic preparation and planning, you can avoid tripping over the dog or a coffee table the next time there’s a downed power line, a natural disaster or an overloaded grid.

Besides having supplies, take the time to make sure your home is prepared if the power goes out. Below are some supplies you’ll want to have on hand, and following this list is a checklist of questions to ask yourself regarding securing the safety of your home when the power goes out.

SUPPLIES FOR A POWER OUTAGE:

• Several high-quality flashlights. It’s a good idea to keep a flashlight in each room of the house. Conserve the battery life of your flashlight by not using it unless it’s absolutely necessary.

• A battery operated radio or portable television set. Especially in weather-related power outages, it’s important to keep up with important news updates and listen for emergency broadcasts.

• An ample supply of batteries. Flashlights and radios are useless without batteries. Keep extras in the house at all times. Make sure you know where they are before you need them.

TO LEARN MORE: The Power’s Out!