Depending on the cause, a power outage can last anywhere from a few hours to several days – or longer. Are you prepared? There’s nowhere better to go for answers than to your local Orlando licensed electrician.
It only takes one unexpected power outage to remind you just how much we rely on electricity in our daily lives. But there are a few things that you can do to make sure that loss of electricity stays a minor inconvenience and not a big problem.
Is your power outage caused by an electrical problem in your home? Contact Bright Future Electric and we can have an Orlando licensed electrician from our team come take a look.
Prepare for a Power Outage in Advance
One of the best ways to make sure a power outage doesn’t impact your life too much is to prepare ahead of time. Doing some of the following can help you stay ready:
- Stock approximately two weeks’ worth of non-perishable food and water in your home.
- Keep a paper copy of your family and friends’ contact information.
- Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have battery backups.
- Ensure you have surge protectors installed in your home.
- Have an Orlando licensed electrician install a home generator.
- Have communication devices in your home that will work without any electricity, such as a battery-operated radio.
- Have batteries and other alternative power sources available for any devices you will need.
- Have a flashlight for each member of your household.
What to do During a Power Outage
If you can’t rely on a home generator during a power outage, there will be a few things that you need to prioritize.
Conserve power on your devices
Setting your cell phone to a low-power mode and having rechargeable power banks available can help you keep your devices powered on for as long as possible.
Make sure your food is safe to eat
On average, the food in your refrigerator will stay below 40 degrees and be safe to eat for approximately 4 hours. You can help keep your refrigerator at food-safe temperatures for as long as possible by keeping the door closed.
A full freezer will stay cold for approximately 48 hours after you lose power, and if your freezer is half-full you can expect it to stay cold for about 24 hours.
If your home has not experienced any other damage beyond loss of power, you can still safely cook food on a gas stove. You can also use your outdoor grill, but make sure that it stays outside. Do not use a gas stove to heat your home.
Unplug appliances and electronics
Disconnecting your electronics and appliances can protect them from electrical surges and power overloads. A home surge protector is also extremely useful in these situations.
Evacuate if needed
If your home is becoming too hot or cold, if you rely on medical devices that need electricity to operate, or have medication that needs to be stored in a refrigerator, it may be time to temporarily evacuate.
Electrical Concerns? An Orlando Licensed Electrician Can Help
Bright Future Electric is your resource for home electrical services. We offer electrical panel updates and upgrades, generator installation, surge protection solutions, and more. Contact us today to discuss our residential service options!