| In our current society, people typically take it for | | | | Set aside a location in your home or garage to |
| granted that electricity to their homes will always | | | | keep the necessary survival items. Having an area |
| be available to run their TVs freezers and air | | | | like this set aside prior to an emergency will which |
| conditioning units, until the time comes that the | | | | will be much better than trying to hunt down |
| lights have gone out. Our society is not prepared | | | | these items in the dark. Your inventory of |
| to handle long term power outages and should | | | | blankets, batteries and can goods will be kept in a |
| become more aware of the exposure. Make your | | | | specific area when needed. |
| plans today to prepare for an eventual outage | | | | Tip 6 - Stock up on necessary Items |
| that may last more than several days. | | | | Storing the right food for surviving a power |
| Tip 1 - Develop a Strategy | | | | outage should be part of your strategy. Can |
| There are alternative sources of power that can | | | | goods are the obvious choice to keep in your |
| supplement or even replace the power received | | | | emergency storage space, but storing grains like |
| from local utility companies, but these are long | | | | rice or cornmeal in plastic 5 gallon containers may |
| term strategies that many do not plan for. Wind, | | | | be something to consider as well. |
| Solar and other technologies are becoming more | | | | These grains can easily be part of your meal |
| mainstream as new products come to market to | | | | planning during a power outage. Do not forget to |
| meet the demands of consumers. A long term | | | | keep a manual can opener in your survival space. |
| strategy to supply free energy to your home is | | | | Dried lentils and beans are other staples to have |
| an important aspect of self sustaining power | | | | on hand. They can be easily soaked in water and |
| independence. | | | | added to a variety of meals. |
| Tip 2 - Create a Blackout Kit | | | | Access to drinking water is crucial when current |
| Power outages can generate widespread chaos | | | | systems are down. Bottled water should be one |
| and panic. If you and your family are not | | | | of the major items you keep in your inventory. If |
| prepared for the worst case scenarios, it could | | | | your water supply is affected, you want to |
| lead to real safety issues. Having a blackout | | | | ensure safe water is available for drinking and |
| emergency kit is a prudent way to be ready if | | | | cooking. |
| the emergency situation occurs. Essential items | | | | Do not waste your drinking water for flushing the |
| for your kit should include items focused directly | | | | toilets. If they do not work during an outage, you |
| on; food, water, communication abilities and light | | | | can use water from your rain barrel as a source |
| and heat generation. | | | | of water for your tanks. This may not be an |
| Tip 3 - Alternatives to Standard Batteries | | | | option in the winter, due to freezing |
| D Cell batteries are not an option for long term | | | | temperatures, so plan accordingly. |
| power generation for radios and flashlights. Of | | | | Tip 7 - Plan to cook your food without electricity |
| course they are good in a pinch for short term | | | | One additional thing to consider when thinking |
| usage, but long term outages require a more | | | | about meal preparation; how will you cook when |
| sustainable source of power for generating power | | | | the stove or oven are inoperable? |
| for your portable devices. As panic sets in, a rush | | | | The answer is your gas or charcoal grill. These |
| on the local stores for batteries and other items | | | | are great alternatives that can be used as a |
| will be obvious. Do not get caught in the herd by | | | | backup oven and stove when needed. Even |
| having prepared yourself with devices that use | | | | though most people have a grill for backyard |
| kinetic energy for light and radio communication. | | | | functions, most people have at least one when |
| Tip 4 - Purchase a Power Inverter | | | | needed. Your gas or charcoal grill can even act as |
| A power inverter may also be something that | | | | a temporary oven for baking breads and other |
| would be added to your blackout kit. This small | | | | meals during the outage. Having spare propane or |
| portable device will take a normal DC battery | | | | charcoal on hand is essential in being able to cook |
| from a car or boat battery and convert it into an | | | | your food during this period. |
| AC current sufficient to run items in your home | | | | In conclusion, it is important to make your plans |
| like a microwave or other small appliances. It could | | | | for riding out a long term power outage. Adopting |
| be invaluable to supply the small electric power | | | | some or all of these tips can help you make the |
| needed to run your well water pump or oil boiler. | | | | best of a bad situation if and when it occurs. |
| Tip 5 - Create an Emergency Storage Space | | | | |