How to Prepare for a Blackout

If there’s one thing in California that we all have to experience, it’s a blackout. It seems like it happens in the deep heat of the summer but a power outage can randomly happen throughout the year! Notifications of these blackouts can be uncertain, sporadic, or even nonexistent in some cases. It makes it difficult to know when and how to be prepare for a blackout event next time it happens; especially in different types of weather.

Even though we live in sunny California, Texas in February 2021 demonstrated how unpredictable the weather can be; and the longevity of these blackouts are as big of an unknown. Therefore, we have put together a few tips to help you stay prepared (and comfortable!) during the next inevitable blackout:

Things to keep in your home:

• Flashlights, both battery-operated and hand-crank
• Batteries. This seems obvious. However, it’s important to keep different sizes of batteries in the house to ensure you’re not left with useless radios or flashlights because of the wrong battery size.
• Large ice chest and ice packs. These will keep your fridge and freezer colder, longer!
• Blankets. It stays pretty moderate in California most of the year, but it’s always smart to have blankets and warm clothes ready for the unpredictable.
• Canned food and non-perishables. Cooking without power? It’s necessary to stock up snacks and meals that don’t require power to cook somewhere. BBQs (outside!) are also a great alternative if you need to cook without power.

Things to keep in mind:

• Unplug your electronics to avoid surges and damage, starting with your large appliances. These need lots of power to get going once power is restored, and are the most expensive items to replace.
  Tip: Leave one light on inside and outside so you know when the power is back on, and the power company knows your power has been restored.
• Invest in surge protectors. In case the power clicks back on before you can unplug, these will help protect the electronics.
• Make sure you know how to use the manual release on your garage door so you can get in or out without power
• Hide a key in a safe place outside in case your garage is your entry point. Yes, the power can turn off when you’re not home.
• Invest in a generator to keep some items available for use. Never use a gas-powered generator, BBQs, or Kerosene lamps to heat inside your home!
• This might be a huge investment up front, but installing a solar energy system and battery packs can keep your home running for most of the day. We have a ton of sun in California and don’t necessarily lose power because of a storm. Solar in California makes sense for our particular blackouts and circumstances.

Power outage in California can happen at any time! Learn how to prepare for a blackout event is very important for your family, not only to be comfortable while you’re without power but also to stay safe and protect the investments of your electronics and appliances. We hope these tips will help get you better prepared for the next blackout!

If you’re interested in solar panel system, check our Beginner’s Guide to Solar Energy. Or if you want to speak to someone directly, the solar experts at Purus Energy can answer your questions and make sure you have a thorough understanding of solar energy. Contact us at (925) 281 7370.