Steps To Take When Your Power Is Out

Inclement weather is one thing, but when trees start falling and the powerline is down, it's time to act! Learn the steps to take when the power is out.
When your power goes out, the steps you should take are to remain calm, check the circuit breaker, inspect the trees surrounding your area, and grab your emergency kit. A part of being thoughtful is being prepared for any situation. Learning these steps to take when your power is out will prepare you for any storm that heads to town!
Check the Circuit Breaker
When the power goes out, immediately check the circuit breaker to see if a fuse has blown. You might be able to restore power by the flip of a switch. Your breaker will be inside unless your house is older, and there may be breakers for different rooms. Be sure you check both your main breaker and individual appliance breakers if an outage occurs!
Call the Power Company
If you inspect your area and you see a tree has fallen, it’s best to stay far away and grab the phone to call the power company. You don’t have to wonder what to do if a tree has fallen on your power line. The power company can let you know the duration of the outage and the next steps to take. They will also inform you of the time the nearest technician can come and fix your power line.
Get Your Emergency Kit
When the power is out, accessing your emergency kit is essential. Make sure you have items like a flashlight, candles, solar power battery pack with USB ports, a backup generator, water, a few nonperishable food items, and a blanket in your equipment. When the power is out, you want to continue with what you were doing as you usually would throughout the day! If you don’t have a kit, be sure you create one by obtaining the items listed. If you don’t have a central storage area, feel free to store them in a garbage can or a tote.
Unplug Your Major Appliances
A vital step to take when your power is out is unplugging any major appliances. Unplugging your devices is crucial because they consume a lot of energy. This can lead to a surge occurring because there is too big of a consumption of energy that cannot be contained or stopped before reaching the appliances. In addition, if the machines are not unplugged when the power is out, they can start a fire.
Check-In With Your Neighbors
By checking in with your neighbors, you will see if the power outage only affects your home or the entire block! Talking to your neighbors is also an excellent way to establish another layer of safety, and you'll have another source of essential information and updates regarding the outage. If you already have a bond formed with your neighbors, the blackout may be the time you all bring your resources together! The next time the power goes out, you’ll be prepared to peacefully wait it out until power is restored instead of worrying.