How to Prepare for a Power Outage

Arm yourself with the knowledge to prepare yourself and your home for a power outage.

Shockingly, 6 out of 10 American households don’t have a family emergency plan. Even though power outages don’t typically last for more than a couple minutes, it’s good to know how to handle a long blackout with winter almost here. Electricity can be out for several hours from severe storms. Instead of rushing around in the dark when the lights go out, ensure that you and your home are ready and know how to handle it.

Have plenty of food.

• Keep a 3- to 5-day supply of drinking water in jugs or bottles. Plan on at least 1 gallon of water per person, per day, as well as enough for your pets.
• Store a manual can opener with non-perishable foods for 3 to 5 days. Aim for canned chickpeas, beans, and peanut butter. Don’t forget pet foods!
• Conserve water by using plastic plates and plastic utensils that don’t need to be washed and can be thrown away instead.
• Have a camp stove or grill for outdoor cooking.

Stay in touch.

• Have a portable, battery-powered radio and alarm clock.
• Have a non-portable phone that will work even if power is interrupted.
• Plan where to meet family members and how to communicate if separated.
• Keep essential family member contact information near your phone and in your wallet.
• Get your pets microchipped so that you can be reunited if separated.

Keep a kit.

• Build an emergency kit well in advance of a storm (if you can.)
• Gather plenty of flashlights with extra batteries.
• Store a first aid kit that is close to reach.

Protect your appliances

• Turn off all large appliances if the power goes out.
• When the power comes back on, give the electric system a chance to stabilize by gradually using the appliances you turned off. Use only the essential first and then wait 15 minutes before turning on the others.

To protect your home throughout all sorts of disasters that are out of your control, visit the team at All Nevada Insurance. Our homeowners insurance policies work to protect residents in Las Vegas, Henderson, and neighboring cities in Nevada. Contact us today for more information.