Florida is no stranger to frequent storms, and the combination of high winds and unforgiving rain is enough to knock out the power in your entire neighborhood. Your pals at Suncoast Power Solutions want you to stay safe by knowing what to do before, during, and after power outages.

 

Things That Can Happen During a Power Outage

When a power outage is severe enough and lasts a long while, it can affect the neighborhood (and even the entire town) in a number of ways. It can become harder for people to communicate with each other, shops will need to close early, immense water damage can occur, and so forth. There are varying levels of danger that come with an outage, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for the absolute worst just in case. People have been known to suffer heavy casualties from power outages proving that they’re not to be taken lightly.

 

Proactive Measures In Preparing For An Outage

You want to make sure you have all of your bases covered in the event of a serious power outage, and that means being prepared for anything and everything. A few things that you can do ahead of time during a normal day in anticipation of an outage include:

● Taking note of what uses power and making sure you have compatible battery packs to use as backup.

● Buying and storing a flashlight for every member of the household, making sure to keep them in an easy-to-reach area.

● Stocking up on nonperishable food and water in case you’re unable to leave your home for more than 24 hours.

● Asking your doctor about backup plans for medical equipment that require electricity.

 

What to Do During A Power Outage

All of the electricity in your home has shut down unexpectedly, leaving you in the dark. What do you do? Thankfully, you’ve prepared for this moment. For starters, whip out those flashlights that you bought in advance so you can see your surroundings and avoid hurting yourself. Next, unplug all of your appliances and other electronics to avoid a power surge that could start a fire. While you’re waiting for the power to return, be sure to avoid opening the fridge and letting out the only bit of cold that’s preserving your food. It’s also not a good idea to use your stovetop to stay warm as it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Consider using candles instead. And lastly, unless you have a fully-loaded and reliable power bank, try to conserve your phone battery to use for emergencies.

 

Staying Vigilant After a Power Outage

Even after the power comes back on, there are still plenty of dangers lurking about. You can catch a severe case of food poisoning by eating anything that could have spoiled in your fridge during the outage, or you may come across water-based electrical hazards caused by storms or floods. While you stay on alert, don’t forget to replenish your emergency supplies in anticipation of the next power outage. This includes nonperishable food items, batteries, etc. It might also be a good idea to gather the family and discuss how you handled the situation. Is there anything that you could have done better?

 

Make Outages Easier and Stress-Free With A Generac Generator

Power outages can be a way smaller problem when you invest in an outdoor backup power generator. At Suncoast Power Solutions, we provide Generac generators which automatically kick on to power your entire home for up to two weeks starting the moment a power outage occurs. Call us today at (813) 829-0037 to start living life worry-free!