What should you do during a power outage?
During a power outage, it is essential to prioritise safety, report the issue, minimise disruption, and ensure personal comfort and safety. By following these guidelines, you can navigate through the outage more effectively.
Ensuring Safety
Stay calm and assess the situation. Check if the outage is widespread or limited to your property. Be cautious of potential hazards, such as downed power lines, and avoid approaching them. Keep children and pets away from any dangerous areas.
Reporting the Outage
Contact your local utility company or authorities to report the outage. Provide accurate information, such as your location and any observed damages, to help expedite the restoration process. Follow any instructions or updates provided by the utility company. A lot of electricity companies now give you the ability to check if there is a known issue in your area as well, so you may find the info you need there.
Minimising the Disruption
Preserve perishable food items by keeping refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible. If the outage is prolonged, consider transferring essential items to coolers with ice packs.
If available, consider investing in backup power sources, such as generators, inverters, or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, to keep critical appliances running. Manage energy consumption wisely to extend the backup power availability.
Ensuring Personal Comfort and Safety
Use alternative lighting sources such as torches, candles, or lanterns. Ensure proper ventilation and carbon monoxide safety when using candles or fuel-burning lighting sources. We highly recommend having a designated home for torches, matches and any lighting devices you plan to use, that way you know where to find them in a power outage that happens when it’s dark.
Keep warm during colder seasons by using blankets, layering clothing, and confining activities to smaller areas to retain heat.
How to prepare for power outages
Taking proactive steps to safeguard your home and prepare for potential power outages can greatly reduce their impact and ensure your safety and comfort.
Home Electrical System
Regularly maintain and inspect your home’s electrical panels, wiring, and electrical appliances to identify any potential issues. Engaging a licensed electrician for periodic inspections is highly recommended. You can talk to them about installing surge protectors to safeguard electronic devices from power surges. Consider having a backup power solution, such as a generator, that can automatically activate during outages to power critical systems like refrigeration or medical equipment.
Emergency Supplies
Assemble a comprehensive emergency kit that includes essential items such as flashlights, batteries, including portable phone chargers, non-perishable food, bottled water, and necessary medications. Ensure you have a fully stocked first aid kit for any medical emergencies. Plan for an adequate supply of items to meet the needs of your household, including infants, elderly family members, or individuals with specific medical conditions. While you may think you can cover your bases with your mobile phone, you don’t want to rely on it alone!
Take care of your electrical system with us
If you’re based in Sydney and want to ensure that your electrical system is in the best condition possible, our professional electricians can help you. We’ve got your electrical maintenance, repairs, and installation covered.
We can also help you to troubleshoot the causes of power outages in your home and ensure the safety and reliability of your home’s electrical system.
Don’t be left in the dark when it comes to your electricity. Call us on 1300 770 771 or book online here.
