If you’ve read our blog before, you know how important it is to prepare for all weather emergencies in advance. When it comes to blackouts, they can be especially unpredictable, making it even more important to always be prepared for one. 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.

Imagine you’ve prepared for the blackout and it arrives, but the lights aren’t turning back on any time soon. During times when you would normally be cooking a meal, doing laundry, or even working from home, you now have no means of completing any of the tasks on your to-do list. Or so you thought! Here are some tasks to keep you busy, and even more productive than ever, during a blackout!

1. Organize Your Pantry & Cabinets

Unless you have a generator like the HomePower ONE keeping your refrigerator running, you better keep the door closed as long as possible to keep your perishables fresh. That means your options for snacks lie in the pantry, making this the perfect opportunity to go through and organize it. Take everything out to find anything in the back that may have expired or you don’t want to keep anymore and create an organized system to put everything back. You can even move on to messy kitchen cabinets like your tupperware stash or pots and pans.

2. Clean Out All the Closets

You may clean out your clothes closet periodically when you can’t find the right outfit to wear, but take this opportunity to truly gut all the closets, including the linen and coat closet. Reorganize everything so nothing gets lost and goes unworn. Be honest with yourself and donate any items you truly won’t use. Odds are if you don’t like a sweater even in the dark, you won’t ever actually wear it again. 

3. Start Cleaning 

Now that everything has been organized, start cleaning! Mop the floors, clean the bathroom, or get a nice, deep clean of whatever room in your house you always put off cleaning. You won’t be able to vacuum with the power out, but you can tidy up, dust, and feel refreshed in your newly clean space. 

4. Get Outdoors

If the power outage is the result of something other than a weather event, and it is safe to be outside, get outside! Ride a bike, go for a walk, or simply get some fresh air. If there is still enough daylight out, read a book or magazine just for fun. 

5. Plan Ahead

If you find yourself constantly saying you’d do x, y, and z if only you had the time, well guess what? Now you do! Take this much needed break from technology to complete some tasks you’ve been putting off. Go through cookbooks and find new recipes. Plan out when you’ll make them next and what ingredients you need. After all the cleaning you just did, you can also evaluate what other household items you need to replenish.

6. Exercise

Is there really an excuse to not get back into an exercise routine if you don’t have any work or other distractions? Do some short and simple workouts like stretching and yoga, sit-ups and push-ups, and other else you know from memory. Use this time to establish a routine for yourself that can be carried into the rest of your week!

Summary

Although losing power may seem like an inconvenience when it first happens, it can actually be a great excuse to cut yourself off from technology and take some time for yourself. Get cleaning, reorganizing, or even exercising. Use this time to do whatever it is you’ve been putting off on your to-do list! If you invest in a home backup battery supply like the HomePower ONE, you can do even more by keeping your home powered!

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.