When major storms come around in the spring and summer months, it's likely that you'll have to deal with a power outage of some sort, whether it's a brief flicker or a major outage that lasts over 24 hours. Some people rely on electricity for business, work or even health issues. When the power goes out, it's important to have a plan and to do some preparation for these inconvenient situations.

Preparing for a power outage

In the case of a power outage, it's important to have information about the outage and how long it is likely to last. You should have the power company's number easily accessible in your home, so you can call them to find out the status of the outage. Some things you should have in your home that are useful without electricity are candles, flashlights, lighters, and batteries. You might be relying on battery power for appliances for a while. 

Your car can also provide a source of electricity for small appliances and devices if you have a power inverter that plugs into the car cigarette lighter socket. If you need internet access for work, you could visit a coffee shop or library to use their Wi-Fi. When you need to drive somewhere and have a garage, make sure you know how to open the garage door without electricity.

Food

When the power goes out, it can lead to a loss of a lot of perishable items. Ideally, you should have a cooler with ice for essential meat and dairy products. Keep the refrigerator sealed shut until the power is restored. Make sure you have enough water available for drinking and other essential purposes. Make sure your pantry has some food items that can easily be prepared without electricity. If you lose a lot of food because of spoilage, contact your local power company to see if they have a reimbursement program to alleviate the financial losses.

Submitting complaints

Sometimes a power outage can be very disruptive and costly to your business or personal finances. For people who rely on power for medical equipment to maintain their health, power outages can cause severe consequences. In these cases, it's possible to receive compensation for these financial damages if the power company was at fault. Find out the procedure for submitting a complaint in your state, and learn the procedure that your power company outlines in order to reimburse you for damages and financial loss.

When the power goes out, you might need to figure out how to pass time the way people did in the old days without TV and the internet. This is a good opportunity to go outside and appreciate nature and fresh air. A few days without power could end up being a good time for a family to have some quality time together. As long as you're properly prepared and maintain a positive attitude, a power outage doesn't have to be a complete disaster.

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