Some areas get a lot of blackouts, especially in rural areas.  Whether you get a lot or a few, being suddenly and unexpectedly without power is annoying, especially at night when you are depending on it for light and heat. It’s a good thing to be prepared for power loss because it can happen at any time, not just in a storm.

Here are some tips to help you cope with a blackout.

  • Keep a torch in the same place all the time so you know where it is.
  • Phone an electrician if yours is the only house blacked out.
  • Have a supply of candles and matches, or some other means of lighting your night after the power goes out. Make sure everyone knows where they are.
  • When using candles, make sure they are stable and out of reach of children. Don’t place them under overhead cupboards or near curtains.
  • Close the doors and windows to keep the house warm.
  • Have an uninterruptible power supply with battery backup for your computer, so you’ll have a chance to power down properly without losing any work. Unplug the computer and other sensitive electrical equipment.
  • Turn off all electrical equipment so it is not in danger should a surge in the power occur.
  • Leave one light switched on so you’ll know when the power comes back on.
  • If the blackout is caused by a storm, stay inside, especially if there are trees down outside. Trees often bring live wires down with them and even walking in water nearby can be dangerous.

It’s good to be prepared for blackouts even if you don’t get them very often. At the very least, it can save a lot of inconvenience and frustration if you know where the torch or candles are.