Big storms, disruptions to power stations or powerlines as well as brownouts can all cause power outages. Every homeowner that uses a traditional power source is affected by this change in service whether it is a momentary outage or a much longer interruption of service. So what should a homeowner do to protect their home before, during, or after such a change in power services? Premo Solar will let you tell you what you need to know and what you need to do to protect your home from a potentially devastating power outage with a premium solar system.
Before a Power Outage: An Ounce of Prevention with Solar
Take Inventory
Make sure you know where all of your flashlights and batteries are located and that you have enough of each for family members and vital items. In addition, take an inventory of any crucial items you own that require power so that you will be able to create a plan for keeping power on to those devices or appliances.
Create a Plan for Medicines or Power-Dependent Devices
Lifesaving devices or crucial medicines that must be refrigerated or need a power source should be included in a home’s power disruption plan. Think through an alternative location to store these vital medicines and how alternative power sources, like generator power or home battery backups, can ensure your health and safety.
Have a Backup Power Source
One of the easiest ways to guarantee uninterrupted power is to set up a different source. Capturing solar energy through the installation of solar panels is a great way to back up your home’s power needs when the grid goes down for any reason. Homeowners can find out more about solar installations with battery storage in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Salinas can contact Premo for more information about how the process works for your home.
Locate Cool or Warm Locations Nearby
Contact local authorities to determine where to go when extreme weather is possible if a power outage occurs. Knowing where to go can be crucial, especially when the means to search online in an emergency situation for a safe location could be hindered by a lack of power.
Secure and Check Generators
Locate a reliable generator to use as a backup power source during an outage. Store it in a secure location and make sure you have fuel for it to run on if needed, and always plan for a safe outdoor place for it to be utilized to provide the needed power.
Set up a Home Solar Battery Backup System
Consider installing a solar battery system to store residential solar power during the day to be used in case of a power outage. Find out more about Premo Solar’s home battery backup installation in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Salinas and how it can allow your home to stay powered up while drawing on the power grid.
Food Preparation
Lastly, make sure you have enough food and water to last your household a few days without power. Grab a hand-operated can opener and other non-electrical devices, too, to make sure the food is accessible. This food should be available without accessing your appliances like refrigerators or freezers and should be shelf-stable for a while so that you don’t have to redo your preparations too often.
Check Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Make sure you have detectors with working battery backups in central locations of your home. These detectors can help alert homeowners if a power surge creates a malfunction as well as sound the alarm if other power producers like generators are emitting unsafe carbon monoxide into the air.
During a Power Outage: What to do Right Now
Keep it Closed
When the power is out, always keep the refrigerators and freezers closed. While some outages may only be brief, anytime a door to these appliances is opened, cooled air escapes and lessens the time that food stays safe for consumption once power resumes.
Determine if Emergency Locations Should be Used
In extreme weather conditions, decide if moving to a safe warm or cool location is necessary. Making a quick decision can minimize problems down the line.
Engage Alternate Power Source
If a generator or solar backup battery is available, engage their use to diminish power outage problems. Remember to always use a generator outside in a well-ventilated area and never use a grill or gas stove to heat a home.
Don’t Ignore Carbon Monoxide Alarms
When a battery-backed alarm notifies you of an issue, even if it is during a power outage, pay attention to it. Clear the area and proceed according to the device instructions during all times, especially if a new device like a generator is being utilized that is not normally engaged.
Enact Medical Device and Medicine Backup Plan
Be sure to act quickly to initiate plans for vital medicines and medical devices so that if a power outage is prolonged, all crucial medical needs will be in place.
It’s Over, Now What? What to Do After a Power Outage
If in Doubt, Throw It Out
This common phrase is great to remember after a power outage and can help you determine if food is safe to consume. Food that has remained in a fridge may be safe if the outage was short and the appliance did not expose contents to temperatures higher than 40 degrees for more than 2 hours. If it is unknown how warm the appliance became with a prolonged outage, or the food has an unusual smell or texture, it is best to be safe and throw it out. Freezers that dropped below 32 degrees will also need to be purged of most items.
Discard Medicines Not Kept Cool
Even if a medication does not specifically say that it should be kept refrigerated, those that have been exposed to temperatures outside of a normal home (too hot or too cold) will need to be safely discarded. Contact a pharmacy or doctor for details on prescriptions if unsure if the medication is still safe, based on the conditions experienced during the power outage.
Assess Readiness Preparations for Future Outages
Once the dust has cleared and power has been restored, take stock of what went well and what did not during the outage. Identify areas of improvement and additions that can be made to increase the readiness of the household for the inevitable future outages.
Power outages can be disruptive and in some cases, very dangerous. The time to plan for alternative power sources is when there is no current problem or outage. Contact Premo Solar in Monterey Bay for more information about how the use of residential solar power can help you avoid a problematic interruption in power to your home. You can also consider a home battery backup installation Monterey, CA to capture solar power during the day for use when a blackout, brownout, or other power interruption occurs. Having a system in place to keep your home’s appliances and heating and cooling systems running smoothly can be more than just a modern “extra” for your home. Planning ahead is the best way to keep your home powered up to sustain and protect your home and those you love in it.
