Tom's Blog
Power Outage Preparation
Regardless of the time of year, power outages happen. Whether it’s severe thunderstorms and wind in the summer, or snow and ice in the winter, trees and utility lines can fall, putting us all in the dark. While inconvenient, it’s a good idea to follow power outage preparation steps to ensure safety until your power is restored.
With hurricane season upon us, it is common to experience high winds and torrential rains, which can lead to power outages lasting a few hours, days, or even weeks. Because Mother Nature is unpredictable, it is recommended to plan ahead for worst-case scenarios by following some basic guidelines:
- Gas Up- Before the power goes out or there is a likelihood of losing power, gas up your vehicle. Once gas stations lose electricity, no fuel can be pumped. Make a mad dash to the nearest gas pump to fill up. Keep in mind that gas stations with power will likely have lines of people waiting and could run out of fuel.
- Charge Up- In our electronic-based society, charge up all of your electronics, including computers and phones, before a power outage or the probability of one. Invest in a car phone charger so that if you lose electricity, you can still charge your phone. Also, consider portable chargers in a variety of price ranges.
- Stock Up- Head to the grocery store to stock up on non-perishable food items and water in case of a power outage. Another way to keep refrigerated food cold is to stock up on ice bags that you can put into a cooler or even your washing machine to preserve food that could otherwise spoil.
- Gather- When there is a threat of a power outage, gather all flashlights, candles, and portable radios, and make sure you have extra batteries on hand. You never know how long you may be without power.
- Refrain- Once power is lost, refrain from opening your refrigerator/freezer. By keeping the doors closed, food in the refrigerator will stay cold for up to 24 hours and in the freezer for 48 hours.
- Fill Up- If there is a threat of power outages and you have well water, fill up your bathtub with water. Without power, you won’t be able to flush toilets.
- Wrap Up- During the winter months, losing power means getting cold. This affects you, your pipes, and your home in general. Gather plenty of warm blankets to stay warm, weather-strip all doors and windows to keep cold air out, and wrap pipes in insulation to prevent them from freezing.
- Purchase- There are a wide array of generators you may consider, some of which may be in your price range. With a generator, you can run basic necessities regardless of a power outage.
Losing power is always a dreaded inconvenience, and when Mother Nature strikes, you need to be prepared. Being prepared won’t prevent it from happening, but it will hopefully keep you safer and more comfortable until your power is restored.
For more information on how to protect your home and business during power outages, contact Paramount Insurance Agency at 336-869-3335. We’re here to help you with all your insurance needs and provide you with peace of mind during any emergency.
