Are You Prepared For The Next Seattle Power Outage? How To Plan Ahead
Mother Nature can get a little wild sometimes. Summer is the perfect setting for a violent thunderstorm that can knock out the power for several hours or even days. Living without electricity is fun for about the first five minutes. And then it gets really old. You can’t watch television; your laptop battery dies, and the internet will generally go out as well. You can help lessen the impact of a power outage by taking some time to prepare. Our team at Greenwood Hardware can help you get ready so life can continue on in a somewhat normal fashion.
Set aside a drawer or use a small plastic tote to store your power outage supplies in. Keep the tote somewhere you can get to it in a hurry!
Flashlights
This is probably a given, and we all have a flashlight laying around, but does it work? You need to put at least one flashlight to the side that is off limits and only to be used for power outages. Don’t store it with the batteries in it. Store extra batteries with the flashlight. Choose LED flashlights since they are brighter, last longer and use less battery power. A battery-powered lantern is also a nice option.
Emergency Numbers
Keep the emergency numbers for the power company, hospital, the kids’ school and any other number you may need in your kit. You can, of course, use your smartphone to look the numbers up, but it is nice to have a backup just in case your cell battery is dead and you have a landline.
Cards/Games
We are all very dependent on technology and electricity. When it is all gone, life can be very boring. It would be wise to have things like a deck of cards, some board games or books to keep you and your family entertained while you wait for the power to come back on.
Candles
Emergency candles are an option, but only use them if it is your last option. The last thing you need is a candle tipping over and starting a fire! If you are going to use candles, have a nice, sturdy candle holder to put your candle in. Using a Mason jar is another option. Drop a little of the melted candle wax into the bottom of the jar and then place the candle in the wax to keep it upright. The reflection on the glass can also make the room appear brighter than with a single flame.
Surprisingly, a power outage can be a good time to bond with your family or simply unplug. Embrace the power outage and enjoy the peace that always accompanies a powerless world. No humming, buzzing or televisions in the background. Head into Greenwood Hardware and pick up the few things you need to get ready for the next power outage. Come on in, or contact us today.