How to protect your home during a power outage
Whether it’s heat or storms, the weather can leave you in the dark. Hurricane Helene knocked out power to more than 4 million customers in the southeast. And Hurricane Milton is threatening Florida after it quickly grew into a Category 5 storm on Monday.
This comes after a hot summer across much of the US, with heat waves and droughts across much of the country.
Rough weather often means power outages. A blackout that lasts an hour or two is not a problem, but a blackout that lasts for days can be downright dangerous for you and your family. There are already alarms that some parts of the US will be extremely vulnerable to energy shortages and power outages this year.
You can do much better if you take the time to learn why blackouts happen and how to prepare for them. Experts say it doesn’t have to be time-consuming, but even a simple blackout plan can save you a lot of headaches.
Here’s your guide to getting through your next blackout safely and maybe even comfortably.
Why do blackouts happen?
Blackouts can occur for many reasons. In recent years, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation has warned of an increased risk of power outages across much of western North America. The prospect of hotter than normal summers, lower than normal hydroelectric reservoirs, and potentially higher than usual demand for electricity all made it more likely that electricity supply would not be able to meet demand for it, leading to power outages.
More common reasons for blackouts are weather related. Wildfires, hurricanes, thunderstorms and snowstorms can down power lines or disrupt electricity generation, causing power outages.
Even extreme cold in itself can cause the power grid to fail. As more Americans electrify their home heating systems, extreme cold can increase demand for electricity beyond what the grid can handle.
“Everything jumps onto the grid at the same time when it gets icy,” said Kyle Raabe, president of consumer power at Generac, a company that makes generators and backup batteries.
As extreme weather intensifies due to climate change, more power outages could be a consequence. If a power outage occurs in your area, there are a few things you can do in advance to prepare.
Read more: Do power outages affect homes with solar panels? Sometimes
We used data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration to map how many annual power outages the average utility customer had in each state between 2018 and 2022 (using all reporting methods). We also looked at the average total outage duration per year, in hours.
Are blackouts dangerous?
Blackouts are disruptive, plain and simple. These disruptions can range from something as small as an interrupted TV program to something as life-threatening as a temperature-sensitive medicine going bad.
A short blackout may not pose a major threat, but longer blackouts that last many hours or even days can put you at risk. Some rural Americans rely on electric well pumps for their drinking water, while virtually everyone relies on a refrigerator to keep their food from spoiling. “Now it suddenly becomes: can I eat?” Raabe said.
According to Raabe, people with limited mobility may be the most vulnerable during a blackout. If you can’t easily jump into a car and drive to a hotel or a friend’s house to access electricity, you need to make sure you can live safely in your own home for an extended period of time.
“It’s different for everyone, and it’s one of the reasons we always recommend, think about it ahead of time,” Raabe said.
How to prepare for a blackout: a checklist
The Department of Energy has a list of some things you should have on hand to prepare for a blackout. That list is shown below with a few additions.
Check this out: Portable power station buying guide: Take the electricity with you
- Flashlights and batteries: The DOE suggests a flashlight in every room, but having plenty of bulbs and batteries on hand seems good enough. Sure, phones have flashlights, but if the power outage lasts a while you might want to save those phone charges for other tasks, like communicating or entertaining a child.
- Candles and matches: Candles don’t run out of battery and matches are a reliable fire starter. Be extra careful with open flames, do not leave them unattended and do not use them if there is a risk of a gas leak.
- Alternative lighting: Obtaining one solar powered lantern that can be charged without plugging in or LED lanterns with long-lasting batteries are two other ways to safely illuminate your home.
- The emergency number of your utility company: If you smell a gas leak, you don’t want to have to rely on Wi-Fi to get your utility company’s emergency number. Write it down somewhere.
- Backup generator: Generators can be major purchases but can provide backup energy. If you purchase one, make sure it is installed safely and away from your windows to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. If you have a spare battery, you can ensure it is fully charged before bad weather occurs.
- Ice packs and a cooler: If you have medications that need to stay cold, make sure you have some ice packs and a cool box on hand. Then only open it when you need it. Each time it is opened, warm air comes in, reducing the time the interior stays cold. The same goes for your refrigerator and freezer.
- Water: If you get water from a well, you need to have water on hand. The DOE suggests one gallon per day per person.
- Food: Save some food that is not perishable and does not require cooking. Canned goods would work well here.
- First aid kit: You can stock your own first aid kit or buy one from the Red Cross.
- Contingency plan: Decide in advance where you and your family will meet if your home is not an option and communication is not possible.
- Locations of cooling or heating stations: Cities often have cooling stations in the summer (or heating stations in the winter). If your air conditioner or furnace goes out, make sure you know where to go if it gets dangerously hot or cold.
What not to do during a blackout
The biggest thing you want to avoid during a power outage is improperly using a portable home generator. The gas-powered appliances emit toxic fumes that you don’t want to get into your home. “Number one, keep that away from the house,” Raabe said. “Take that thing away from the house and put the wires in it.”
You also want to avoid destroying your expensive electronics with a power surge when the power comes back on. Using a surge protector or unplugging TVs and computers can help prevent this.
And of course, try not to open your refrigerator or freezer often during a power outage. You want to keep the cold (and your food) as long as possible.
What to do after a blackout
After the power returns, the hard part is over, but you will still need to throw away any spoiled food or medicine. It is best to be careful with food. Throw away items if they have not been refrigerated (above 40 degrees) for two or more hourssays the Department of Homeland Security. (The department manages the website Ready.gov with tips to prepare for almost any type of disaster.) When it comes to medications, it is best to consult your doctor.
Another important step: revisit the blackout plan you created and see what you might want to do differently next time. Raabe recommends asking yourself, “Hey, did my plan work for me?”
A power outage undoubtedly brings some inconvenience, but with a little preparation it is possible to deal with these problems and stay safe.
Here are more ways your phone can help in an emergency and how you can protect your pets during natural disasters. Plus the five things that can help you in the event of a power outage.
Frequently asked questions
Are blackouts becoming more common?
Yes, there are power outages and power outages have become increasingly common in recent years. This is mainly caused by extreme weather conditions in the US. Low-income areas and states prone to extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and winter storms, are more likely to experience power outages.
Is a generator necessary to weather a power outage?
In short: No. Everyone has different needs during a blackout. Some households can easily use a small portable battery to charge their phones. Other families may feel safe using a small portable generator to power a refrigerator and other necessities. Others may want the convenience of a permanent standby generator that turns on automatically and powers their entire home.
What is the difference between a brownout and a blackout?
A blackout is a total and unexpected loss of power. Blackouts can last from a few minutes to several days or even weeks. A brownout is only a partial loss of power, reducing the capacity and voltage of a system. Brownouts usually occur when there is high demand on the electricity grid.
