The Las Vegas desert climate brings some extreme weather conditions throughout the year. Rain, snow or ice could knock out power in the winter months. High temperatures and thunderstorms can cause problems in the summer. The question is: are you and your family prepared for an extended power outage?
We can all get by if the power is out for a few hours, but what if it’s out for several days? Here are a few power outage planning tips from the Las Vegas commercial and residential electricians at Blue Apple Electric.
1. Keep Extra Food and Water on Hand
It’s always a good idea to keep extra bottles of water and non-perishable food items just in case something happens and you need to get by. Remember to cycle out expired items in your cupboard or fridge.
2. Cold Food Storage
If you know a bad storm or potential power outage is coming, put perishable food in a cooler with ice. During the outage, try not to open the refrigerator or freezer door if you can avoid it. It will retain some coolness as long as the doors stay shut.
3. Get a Generator
Blue Apple Electric can help install a back-up generator system in your home or office in case of a power outage. This will allow you to have some electricity during the outage.
4. Mobile Phone Charging
Invest in portable chargers and always keep a full charge in them so that your mobile phone can be accessed in an emergency situation.
5. Batteries and Battery-Powered Devices
You’ll want to keep a battery-powered radio, flashlights, lanterns and other devices around just in case there is a power outage. Make sure to have plenty of batteries available, too.
6. Unplug Electrical Appliances
When the power is out, go around and unplug electrical appliances and lights. When the power comes back on, a surge can cause damage to certain electronic components. Investing in surge protectors (especially for computers, TVs and other delicate electronics) is also a sound plan.
7. Take Stock of What You’ve Used
After the outage has passed, do an inventory of what you used during the outage and then replace those items as needed. If you used batteries, non-perishable food and water supplies or anything else, make sure and restock for the next time around. Also, go through your refrigerator and immediately throw away any spoiled food items.
The good news is that Las Vegas’ electrical system is built to handle severe weather and a lot of places in the city have strong back-up generator systems. Still, it always pays to be prepared when the power is out for several days in your neighborhood.
For help with power outage preparation and generator installation in Las Vegas, contact Blue Apple Electric today.