Power Outage Tips

During virtually any disaster, you will eventually experience a power outage. The large majority of power outages only last for a few hours and are usually caused by smaller storms. This does not mean you should not be prepared for longer-term power outages however. Hurricanes and other disasters have been known to create power outages that can last the better part of a month. Believe me I know…I was without power for over two weeks after Hurricane Hugo! So…What to Do? It is a good idea to unplug large electronics and other devices that are not protected by a surge protectors. You also need to make sure that you are disconnected from your main electrical grid if you are using a back-up generator. Check your neighbor’s houses as well to see if your power outage is an isolated event. Avoid opening your refrigerator; keeping it closed will keep the food colder for a longer period. Food typically will last between four and six hours once the power is disrupted. Frozen foods will be good up to 48 hours if you do not open the freezer door continually. Driving During a Power Outage If power is out and you decide to evacuate, you need to make sure you take a few precautions.  First, unplug all the electronics and power systems before evacuating. You should try to take a route that has a small amount of traffic lights. Traffic is going to be a disaster in and of itself especially with traffic lights not operational and possible damage to roads, bridges and highways. Also, be on the lookout for downed power lines and trees along with other debris on the roadways. There are evacuation route maps located at the Clubhouse. Ok…let’s look at some Generators Gasoline/Diesel/Propane If you do not already have a generator, you should really consider buying at least a small starter generator. Generators are ideal during disasters and having the ability to generate even a small amount of power can increase your overall odds of survival dramatically. Fuel Types…what to choose? Gas generators are very flammable and need to be operated outside or in a highly ventilated area.  Gasoline is very hard to store and some laws actually prevent you from storing gasoline containers indoors, so be sure to check your local laws if you are going to be storing large amounts of gasoline at home. Propane and diesel on the other hand are easier to store and can be stored for several years before they begin to deteriorate in any way. Once again, you need to check with local laws and your home insurance companies for any storage rules and guidelines for these fuel sources. What Generator Size Do I Need The size of your generator will depend on your goals and what you want and what you need to operate during a power outage. Sizes will range from small, which can power a few smaller devices, all the way up to large which can power your whole house or RV. When operating your generator, you always want to apply the motto “less is more”. First, you never know how long a power outage will last and fuel may be a precious resource. The main purpose of your generator should be to keep your freezer/refrigerator running. Your refrigerator will still keep your food cool if it operated just five percent of the time. Use a thermometer to measure the temperature and power up as needed because you should always try to keep your generator use to an absolute minimum.   So…let’s be proactive and start planning now! Tim Helm – Director of Security