Six Ways to Prepare for a Power Outage

Written on: June 14, 2018

The good news: Summer is on its way to Pennsylvania! The not so good news: so is severe weather that can leave you without power.
With the crazy weather we’ve been having over the last year, it’s probably best to assume summer will be another eventful season here in the Keystone State (as we mentioned in our last blog, experts are predicting an unusually hot one). Eventful, in this case, means big weather that we need to prepare for.
To help you get ready for the unpredictable months ahead, here are six tips for keeping your family safe in the event of a power outage.

Preparing for a power outage

1. To prevent food from spoiling, have the following on hand:
   • Coolers – Disposable Styrofoam coolers are fine for temporary food storage.
   • Ice – Surround your food with ice in your cooler or refrigerator.
   • A Digital Food Thermometer – Check the internal temperatures of food to ensure they are cold enough to use safely.
2. Try to maintain access to NOAA radio broadcasts:
   • Find an online NOAA radio station
   • Download a NOAA app via iTunes or Google Play
   • Invest in a NOAA-enabled emergency hand-crank radio
3. Keep at least a half tank of gas in your car (gas stations lose power, too), and keep more on hand in gasoline-safe containers.
4. Don’t forget your pets! Here are some guidelines for preparing an pet emergency kit.
5. Consider investing in a propane-powered backup generator. Make sure that:
   • You have properly calculated how much power you need to run your appliances
   • You know how to operate it safely
   • You test it before storm season arrives
   • You have enough propane to run it for at least a week
6. If you have a propane generator or any other combustion appliance, install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home – especially in areas where people sleep.

When severe weather is forecast, be sure you have enough propane for at least a week in the event of an outage that prevents propane deliveries. And don’t forget: if your propane supply is shut down for any reason – including a power outage – you must, by law, have it turned back on by a licensed professional! Contact us for details.