By Paul F. P. Pogue
From Ask Angi
Many parts of the country currently face the coldest, windiest time of year. But no matter where you live, power outages remain a risk. Tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, windstorms and other natural disasters (not to mention simple accidents) can put utilities out of commission for hours or even days. You should prepare an outage emergency plan long before you face the situation. Here are five tips on preparing for power outages:
1. Consider Buying a Portable Generator
Gas-powered generators range from about $400 for a small unit that can keep the lights and small appliances on to $6,000 or more for a whole-house unit. Extra power during an outage can be a luxury for some families and an absolute necessity for others, such as those with durable medical equipment or vital medications that must remain refrigerated. You’ll need at least a medium generator to run appliances such as refrigerators. Major appliances such as air conditioners will require a large unit. An electrician can help work out your options.2. Unplug Unused Appliances
A power outage creates an increased risk of electrical surges as utilities work to restore power. If you’re in for an extended outage, unplug all your appliances and big-ticket electronics until the power comes back. Make sure you stash all the cords safely out of harm’s way since you might be walking through those rooms in the dark.
