Monday, September 05, 2016

By John Voket
September is National Preparedness Month—but as a homeowner, it's important to be prepared year-round. This year, we're passing on some tips to weather a power outage with minimal damage to the appliances and electrical systems in your home, courtesy of Eversource Energy:

Build an emergency kit with essential items to meet the needs of your family, including a first-aid kit. (Visit Ready.gov/Build-a-Kit to get started.)

Fill several large containers with water for drinking; if necessary, fill your bathtub so you have water to flush the toilet.

Fill up the tank. You may need to travel at a moment's notice—and your car can also keep you warm, so long as you keep it well-ventilated and don’t sleep while it's running. Purchase extra if you own a gas-powered generator.

Have adequate medical supplies and prescriptions for yourself and your pets.

List emergency numbers near a phone (landline, since cordless phones don’t work during outages) and in your mobile phone, including numbers for the Red Cross, your local fire and police departments, and your doctor.

Keep batteries, candles, flashlights and matches on hand throughout the house.

Prepare to cook outside. Use a charcoal or propane grill, or even a camping cook stove, if the power goes out. Never bring a grill inside!

Stock up on non-perishables, such as canned goods and pet food.

Turn the temperature controls on your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting to keep food cold as long as possible in the event of a power outage.
 

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