Power outages can result from any natural disaster, an accident with the power lines, or even unknown reasons. Depending on where you live, a simple wind can cause your power to be knocked out. In 2017 alone, 36.7 million Americans were affected by 3526 power outages. The average outage lasted 81 minutes, but power outages can last from a few hours to a few days depending on the severity of the damage and the range of homes hit. It is best to always be prepared for a potential power outage, even if there is not a severe weather warning. We’ve outlined some steps you can take now to prepare your home for a power outage. 

1. Create an Emergency Supply Kit

It is best to always have a basic emergency supply kit fully stocked year round. Stock your kit with plenty of water, non-perishable foods that don’t require a long cooking process, and utensils. Be sure to have first-aid supplies, like bandages and anti-bacterial creams, in an easy-to-find location to prevent any panic in case you find yourself needing a patch-up. It is also very important in a black-out to have enough batteries on hand, in a wide variety of sizes. Assess your home’s needs ahead of time to know which batteries you will need the most of. And definitely don’t forget the flashlights! Keep them in easily-accessible locations around your house, like in a nightstand, end table, and kitchen cabinet.

2. Purchase a Backup Battery Generator

If you experience frequent blackouts or have family members with medical supplies that need electricity to function, you can benefit from purchasing a backup battery generator for your home. Geneverse (formerly Generark)’s HomePower ONE is completely portable, allowing you to set it up wherever it will best suit your family’s needs. It’s high-power output and wide-ranging compatibility allows you to charge your communication devices, power home appliances, keep security systems operating, and even plug in home medical aids. Depending on what you choose to power, a single charge can last up to seven days.  

3. Try a Solar Panel Power Generator

In addition to a battery generator, you could benefit from a solar panel power generator. Geneverse (formerly Generark)’s SolarPower ONE is compatible with the HomePower ONE, allowing you to recharge your battery generator while still charging your devices. The SolarPower ONE is also USB-compatible. If you live in a sunny area, the SolarPower ONE is a great fit for you. You can even bundle the items to save.

4. Make Your Home Battery-Powered 

The next step in preparing your home for a blackout is to make sure live-saving devices are battery-operated. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home, and be sure they either run on batteries or have a battery backup. Check the batteries frequently throughout the year to ensure they have not died.  

5. Organize Refrigerator and Freezer

If you’re prepping for a blackout as a result of a projected storm or natural disaster, organize your fridge and freezer while you still have power. If you are unable to keep your fridge running with your backup generator, you’ll want to limit the amount of time spent opening the door. Organize everything inside, keeping commonly used items together, to allow you to know where the necessities are and quickly grab what you need. You can also place an easy-to-read thermometer inside so you can keep an eye on the temperature and know when food may be going bad. 

Summary

When preparing for a power outage, the unfortunate truth is that you need to constantly be preparing throughout the year, because an outage can happen at any time. Create an emergency supply kit and rotate out expiring food. Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors frequently. When you know you can expect an outage as a result of a storm, organize your refrigerator to limit the amount of time you keep the door open. And if you really want to be the most prepared for a power outage, consider purchasing an emergency battery backup generator or solar panel power generator to not only keep the lights on in your home, but power your communication devices and home appliances. 

About Geneverse: Geneverse (formerly Generark) is the most reliablesolar generator and source of emergency backup power for your home and community. From theHomePower backup battery power station providing portable access to electricity, to theSolarPowersolar panels as a source for recharging, never be disconnected from what matters most to you. Learn more about how Geneverse and its industry-leading 5-year limited warranty can bring protection and security to your family ongeneverse.com. Never face a power outage alone, and power your home with a solar generator from Geneverse.