9 Items To Have At Home When A Blackout Hits

9 Items To Have At Home When A Blackout Hits

Have you been facing power outages a lot and are worried about what will happen if a blackout occurs? It is always a good idea to prepare for such a situation. You can do this by stocking up on some essential items so that you can survive both a short-term and long-term blackout.

If you need help finding what items to stock up on, follow these expert guidelines by professional electricians in Australia. These experts will also advise you about all the electrical safety dos and don'ts once the power comes back on so that you and your family are safe no matter what.

Water

An essential item you must stock up on during a blackout is water. It is improbable that your water supply will stop functioning during a blackout, but in the chance it does, you must be prepared. Thus, you should store a gallon of water for each family member and a little extra for safety if you feel like it. There is no such thing as too much water, and you should store as much of it as you can for emergencies.

First Aid Kit

It is a good idea to keep a properly stocked first aid kit with you in case of a short-term or long-term blackout. This will help you stay prepared for any kind of emergency and will keep you and your family safe. Your first aid kit should include:

• Bandages
• Cloth tape
• Antibiotic ointments
• Aspirin
• Antiseptic wipes
• Cold compress
• Hydrocortisone ointment
• Gauze
• Scissors
• Non-latex gloves
• Thermometer
• Guide for using the kit

Food

Food is essential to survive any blackout, and you must keep enough for both the short-term and long-term. Start storing non-perishable food items like ready-to-eat meals and processed canned goods.

Professional electricians in Australia advise that you take out all the food from the expired fridge so that it doesn't go bad in a power cut, rot, and smell. You should keep canned goods, biscuits, instant meals, coffee and tea bags and protein bars. You should also keep aside food for your baby and pet.

Hygiene

If the water supply runs out, you won't be able to wash your hands or bathe in a blackout. But you must maintain your hygiene so that you don't fall sick. Keep a bunch of hand wipes, and face and body wipe at home so that you can use this to clean yourself. Also, keep some sanitiser and deodorant to smell good when you can't take a bath. You should also keep baby and pet wipes at home for a blackout.

Radio

It would be best if you kept a radio handy at all times so that you know what is happening during the blackout. This will inform you of how long the blackout will last and the causes. You can find out more information about your area and move to an area with power if needed. It is a good idea to get your radio checked by Australian electrical services before a blackout to know that it's functioning correctly.

Medication

If you or any family member is on medication, you must stock up on at least three weeks of essential medication at home. Go to your doctor and ask him for an advanced supply of medicines and store them in your home so that you are always safe during a blackout.

Flashlights And Candles

If it is a long-term blackout, you will need some lights to see what is happening. It would be best if you always kept flashlights and candles at home to have some light source. This will help you find the things you need even when it's pitch dark everywhere else. Also, keep batteries and matches for your flashlights and candles at home.

Battery Powered Chargers And Batteries

Quality electricians in Australia suggest you keep many batteries and battery-powered chargers with you. This will come in handy during a blackout as you can use it to keep your phone charged at all times and can operate some electrical devices with batteries. But make sure you use suitable batteries for each device and try everything out before you buy it for electrical safety.

Blankets And Sleeping Bags

You must keep a stock of blankets and sleeping bags to roll them out during a blackout. This is especially necessary for the winters when the heat will be off during a blackout. Keep a few extra blankets for each person, and make sure you also have some bedding for your pets. It is also a good idea to store extra pillows and mattresses to help you sleep appropriately during a blackout.

Conclusion

Blackouts can be pretty frustrating, but if you follow the above tips and stock up on the above nine items, you can survive even a long-term blackout.