In today’s day and age – power outages have become an annoying and unfortunately common occurrence across Australia. The frustrating result of extreme weather conditions in such a beautiful part of the world is that blackouts and limited electricity tend to become a part of life. Whether you are new to or experienced with dealing with this unfortunate reality, it is always a good idea to be prepared for this eventuality. Here you’ll find a list of things that might help you, the next time the power is out.
What you’ll need and why
- Batteries for portable devices – People often forget how much they rely on their mobile devices, and how easy it is to recharge their batteries via the main power circuits. If you don’t want to face a blackout without a mobile, for whatever reason, it is important to keep charged battery packs close at hand.
- First aid kit – Hopefully more for peace of mind than anything else, but having a comprehensive first aid kit close at hand is essential. Just in case.
- Bottled water – Having a reserve of bottled water any time of year is important but during a blackout this is essential. One can never predict the length of power outages and having this vital source of life at hand is imperative – especially during the Summer months.
- Non-perishable food items – Nearly as important as water, and again dependent on the time frame of the power outage – something to eat can make all the difference.
- Non-main lighting – Whether you opt for battery operated torches or old school matches and candles, being able to light your property in a blackout is important for navigating your own space. There is something particularly confronting about sitting in the dark – so often completing a puzzle or a game of old-fashioned playing cards can really help in passing the time.
A natural result of our increasing reliance on electricity, is that it is more than likely we will get bored without it. No internet, no TV, no computers. On the positive side of things – no electricity mean that we will have the opportunity to engage in other forms of entertainment – but you’ll only be able to do this is, if you have them available to you. Books are a good start, and reading would be an obvious ‘go to’ without electricity (on condition you have some sort of light source).
At the end of the day, generic checklists are helpful, but it is always important to consider what YOU will need during a blackout scenario; after all you have to look after your own needs. If you have a medical condition which requires refrigerated medicine then it is important you have some sort of contingency plan in place. You should also be aware of the conditions surrounding your property that might be unique to you and your family. If the natural environment is hot then keep the fridge closed to stop the perishable foods from going off quickly. On the same merit, if your local environment is cold then make sure you have access to something that can keep you and your family warm.
Stay informed
With the move towards mobile telephones and an increasing reliance on chargeable devices it would be a good idea to keep an old-fashioned landline phone on your property – especially if you are based outside of the urban centre. Keeping updated on the cause and duration of a power outage will keep you calm and allow you to make well-informed decisions regarding the way you respond to the situation.