A blackout comes with no prior warning, happening in an instant and plunging you into darkness without a moment’s notice. Whether you live on your own, with friends or with your family, it is important to have a plan ready for when your electricity decides to give up on you.
With ongoing reports in the press that prove power cuts are a real issue, this article looks at some key steps you can take to ensure you get through a blackout with minimal hassle.
1. Torches
This goes without saying. When the lights in your home give out, your first instinct will be to search for another source of light. Torches for each member of your household (age permitting) are incredibly useful for safety and peace of mind alike, and they are available in a range of strengths. Ensure that your torches are stored in a place that is easy to remember and easy to reach without the aid of light, and finally, make sure the batteries are fully charged!
2. Food & Drink
Sometimes, there is not always a quick fix for re-illuminating your home or business premises when a blackout occurs. In the worst case scenarios, it can be a very long time before electricity returns to the building.
Ensure you have a readily available and well stocked supply of dry food and water to ensure nobody goes hungry or thirsty during the blackout. With the power out, the microwave / electric oven will not work. The fridge also will not be able to maintain a constant chilled temperature, so try and limit the amount of times you’re opening the fridge, so that the insulation can keep the refrigerated temperature for as long as possible.
3. Medication
If anyone around you has a pre-existing medical condition that requires medication, ensure that any tablets, pills or liquids required are within easy reach.
As well as providing vital health care for those who need it, it also can be a source of calm as they will not panic about the whereabouts of their medication.
Important medical equipment should come with battery backup, so familiarise yourself with the amount of time you are permitted for the ongoing functionality of the equipment.
4. Communication
Communication within your building and also to the outside world can be very difficult in a blackout, and this lack of communication can cause panic.
Modern landlines require electrical power to operate. Mobile phones meanwhile shoudl continue to operate while they have charge, as the radio towers use fallback back up power.
Alternatively, systems like walkie talkies, you can easily communicate with those around you, which is particularly useful in large areas.
Also consider using a battery powered radio, as this means you can keep up to speed with vital information from news updates.
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Here at VHL, we are proud to offer superb electrical services that accompany our central heating work. If you are in need of a new lighting system, or you have suffered a power cut or system failure due to ageing wiring, our emergency electricians can have your building illuminated quickly and professionally, restoring your home or business premises to its normal state.