Being Prepared for a Power Outage | Teems Electric

With the season of spring storms in northeast Georgia and southeast Tennessee upon us, it’s also one of the busiest times of year in this area for power outages.

Downed power lines and transformer surges don’t just create inconvenient circumstances, they can also lead to some dangerous situations.

That’s why it’s important you know what you should and shouldn’t do when the power goes out. Hopefully you’ll never have to deal with an extended outage, but even a couple hours without electricity can cause real issues. So, read on to ensure you’re prepared to deal with them the right way.

What to Do Before the Power Goes Out

Here are a few of the things you can do to prepare for an outage that can make it a lot easier and safer to deal with one.

  • Put a thermometer in your refrigerator and freezer. Make sure it’s one designed for use in those applications. Ideally you’ll use one that logs the maximum temperature it measures, so you know how warm it got in each cabinet. Refrigerators should stay at or below 40 degrees, while freezers shouldn’t exceed 10 degrees for most foods.

  • Fill empty space in your fridge and freezer with bottles of water. Empty space doesn’t do anything to help keep things cold, while bottles of dense water can help deal with any increase in temperatures. Plus, if it’s sold-bottled water that’s in date or fresh tap water, you can turn to it if the outage becomes extended and there’s an issue with water supply.

  • Get a generator. If you’re concerned about an extended power outage, as you might be if your household includes someone who relies on medical equipment, an outdoor generator is a good solution. You’ll also want to ensure you have fuel ready to keep the system running.

  • Ensure you have working flashlights and extra batteries. When things go dark, especially at night, you’ll want to have flashlights or other battery-powered light sources on-hand. You should also keep a store of batteries so you’re ready for a longer time in the dark.

  • Assemble and emergency kit. Your kit should include everything from first aid supplies to extra cash. You’ll also want to have backup power sources for your mobile devices.

  • Stock up on water and non-perishable food. This one is self-explanatory.

Teems has helped homeowners and commercial operators with projects big and small for 60 years. Whether you want to install a generator for your home or plan the HVAC layout for a massive office building, call us today to get started!