Homeowners throughout the Midwest are already familiar with severe weather and the occasional power outage that comes with it. As familiar as we are with the occasional power outage, though, how many of us can truly say we’re actually prepared when the power goes out? What does being prepared even look like? As an electrician in Springfield, TruStar Electric proudly provides 24/7 emergency electrical services, so we know how to put together a power outage survival kit that will get you through the night or potentially even a few days without power.
Here in Springfield, most power outages don’t last long. The average is usually around two hours. Each power outage is unique, though. In the event of a major storm or other serious disruption, they can last for days. In that case, you’ll be glad you have the following on hand:
Flashlights or Lanterns. You’ll need a light source to keep you from stumbling around in the dark. You can use flashlights, camping lanterns, those head lamps you can strap on your forehead, glow sticks, even battery-operated candles. What you’ll want to avoid, however, is any type of open flame. Actual candles are a fire hazard, especially in the dark.
Food and Water. Most of us rely on power more than we realize to keep ourselves fed and hydrated, and storms that knock out power can also render tap water undrinkable due to flooding. Keep on hand about one gallon of fresh water per person per day, as well as a stash of energy bars or other convenient, non-perishable foods that you can eat without heating. If you have a gas grill, you might want to pick up an extra propane tank so you can cook up anything in the fridge that might go bad otherwise. If you have pets, you should be sure to set aside food and water for them, as well.
First Aid Kit. Stock it with all the usual stuff. If anyone in your family (and that includes pets) requires daily medications, you’ll want to have some of those ready. If any of those medications need to be kept refrigerated, you should move them to a cooler with some cold packs ASAP.
Batteries and Chargers. These are for those flashlights and such we mentioned earlier, as well as any other portable or battery-powered electronic devices you’d like to keep using in the event of a blackout. Don’t forget portable chargers for your cell phone, tablet, laptop, and so on.
Entertainment for the Kids. One thing that’s often left off emergency power outage prep lists is something for the kids to do. This will keep them occupied and calm in what can be a stressful situation. Have a stash of puzzles, games, storybooks, coloring books, arts and crafts, you name it. If you do it right, you can turn a potentially scary situation into something that feels like a fun in-house camping trip.
Other Emergency Supplies. Plenty of other things may prove useful in a power outage: an emergency radio that runs on batteries, those little handwarmers that come in packages, around $100 in small bills since ATMs might not have power either, and so on. One important thing is a printed list of phone numbers of anyone you might need to reach in an emergency, including doctors, family members, and schools, as well as a 24/7 emergency electrician in Springfield. Still need one of those? Our number is 417-501-7827.
The most important thing to do in the event of an emergency is stay calm. Having a pre-packed survival kit will help, and if you need anything, just call TruStar Electric in Springfield. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing our customers with efficient and effective solutions to all their home or business electrical needs—especially during an emergency.
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