Sometimes you may experience a home emergency with little warning, and with no accompanying weather reports giving you time to prepare. That’s why we always recommend preparing your home and families for the unexpected yet inevitable events that you may come your way when you least expect it. 

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.

Here are some more tips to help you prepare for some common emergencies that you can experience in your home. 

1. Power Outage

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.

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.  

If you’re not able to keep your refrigerator running with the generator, you’ll want to organize it in advance of an anticipated outage to minimize the time spent with the door open when you need an item. You should also assess how many flashlights and the types of batteries you have on hand in your home. 

2. House Fire

The U.S. Fire Administration reports that in 2018 alone, there were over 1.3 million home fires across the country. These fires led to a more than 20% rise in deaths, as well. According to Ready.gov, a fire can become life-threatening in just two minutes. In five minutes, a residence can be entirely engulfed in flames. 

Assess the points of exit in your home, from which you could all safely exit in the case a fire is blocking a common path, like your front door. Decide what, if anything, you will bring with you (like grabbing important documents from your night stand) and assign that job to someone. Choose a spot a safe distance from your house where you will all meet up once you have evacuated.

You’ll want to make sure you have a sufficient amount of smoke detectors in your home and that you consistently check the batteries every month, replacing them every 6 months. In addition to smoke detectors, you should also have a fire extinguisher on every level of your home. Depending on the size of your home, you may consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system. This can be an expense that some people are unable to take on, but you live in a home that has few exits or could allow for a fire to spread quickly and easily, this may be a good investment to protect yourself and your family.

3. Winter Storm

According to a research study reported by USA Today, winter storms are becoming more and more common in the United States. Since 1995, Americans have experienced an average of 19 blizzards a year, compared to previous reporting of only nine a year.

Ensure that your home is properly outfitted for winter weather conditions by caulking and weather-stripping all doors and windows. Add insulation in the walls, attics, and around water lines that are in exterior walls to prevent pipes from freezing. To further keep out the cold during a storm, install storm or thermal-pane windows or cover them with plastic from the inside. Ahead of time, repair any leaks in your roof and clear dead tree branches that could fall on your house or car. 

It’s great to have emergency supplies well-stocked in your house, but in the event that a winter storm hits while you’re on the road, you need to also have your vehicle fully stocked. It is important to note that in the event of a winter storm warning, it is always best to stay off the roads as much as possible. When traveling, always be sure you have a full tank of gas. Keep jumper cables, an ice scraper, sand, and a flashlight in your car along with warm clothes, blankets, bottled water, and non-perishable snacks. If you are traveling to an area you are unfamiliar with, bring a map in case you lose access to your phone GPS.

4. Thunderstorms & Lightning Strikes

According to Weather.com, there are 40,000 thunderstorm occurrences everyday, world-wide. That totals to 14.6 million a year. While thunderstorms may just seem like a common occurrence, they can cause more damage than you might think. Even when a storm is not categorized as a hurricane, you can still experience complications like fallen trees, live wires, and power outages.

In a severe thunderstorm with high winds, you want to stay indoors and away from windows. Be sure the shelter is sturdy and does not risk collapse or other dangers. This is especially important if you are outside of your home and potentially traveling on the road. Knowing where you can seek shelter will ease your mind.

Seeking shelter indoors may physically protect you from lightning, but it can still strike your house and cause problems for your household. It is recommended that you unplug home appliances to prevent power surging that can cause serious damage in the case of a lightning strike. If you need to keep items plugged in, be sure to use surge protections to minimize damage to your devices.

Summary

Power outages can happen unexpectedly and without being accompanied by a severe weather event, and home fires always come without warning. It is not uncommon for a severe winter storm or thunderstorm to develop without proper warning from meteorologists, or for us to sometimes brush them off as a normal storm when they actually turn out to be severe. Geneverse (formerly Generark)’s HomePower ONE will always be there to keep your family feeling safe and powered through power outages and all weather emergencies. Prepare your emergency supply kits now and start making plans to secure your home from all types of weather.

About Geneverse: Geneverse (formerly Generark) is the most reliable source of emergency backup power for your home and community. From the HomePower ONE power station providing portable access to electricity, to the SolarPower ONE as a source for recharging, never be disconnected from what matters most to you. Choose the size of Solar Generator perfect for you and your family. Learn more about how Geneverse and its industry-leading 5-year limited warranty can bring protection and security to your family on our website. Never face a power outage alone with a backup battery generator and solar panel from Geneverse.