Good Lifestyle

If you live in a place where winter temp Immerse below freezing , the power outages will be among the many seasonal plagues that upset daily life. The reasons may include fallen trees and branches after winter storms, ice on electric lines, car accidents that involve equipment, damage caused by wind, etc. A sudden loss of electricity can be an unpleasant interruption, or it can last days or more. In the worst cases, this can be a deadly danger. To prepare for all possible scenarios, read the rest to hear house experts and maintenance on what to keep at hand and how to protect your home to minimize the impact when the power goes kaput.

Read this then: 10 errors you make that keep your house cold, say the experts .

One of the first concerns when taking stock of electrical necessities is perishable food in the refrigerator And the freezer will not be kept cold.

"Your goal is to preserve food for up to four hours inside the refrigerator and 48 hours in the freezer," said Robert Johnson , marketing director at Coastal devices .

After that, an option is to put these items outside, but it could be dangerous if it is dark or icy. Christoper Haas ,, Authorized and owner master From Haas and Sons Electric, says that is why it is intelligent to invest in a quality cooler like a Pelican ,, Yeti , or Ric .

"Keep a bag of 20 pounds of ice in the freezer and if the power goes out and you worry about any perishable or drugs losing their refrigeration, you can pack them here," said Haas. "Ideally, you simply leave your closed refrigerator and freezer doors so that they can remain refrigerated as long as possible, but when the hours become days, you need another plan."

In terms of food preparation, Ryan Meagher of a residential construction company Contract bvm Reminds us that if you have a gas stove, you can use it to cook, "but make sure you have games - or a lighter barbecue - in case you need it to start the flame."

A propane camping stove can be used to cook food and boil water when there is no other source (just be sure to follow all safety instructions). And, of course, it's always a good idea to fill up on various seeds in anticipation of a power failure.

Read this then: 10 errors you make that wreaking havoc on your home in winter, say the experts .

Especially after dark, a light source of substitute is often the first thing that we seek to be able to assess and approach the situation. Do not forget to keep the flashlights and the candles used by battery at hand and use them instead of your phone when possible to preserve the battery load of the phone.

Haas recommends having a Land Pop-up Camping Lantern at hand. "You can usually get sets for less than $ 20 or $ 30, and they are light, which is good because they do a great work of light in a room. If you have a ceiling hook for a plant or decoration, these can suspend this and actually produce a lot of light. ""

Most of us might think that we are prepared in the Department of Battery , but often what we have in our unwanted drawers is old or mismatched. In anticipation of a power failure, make sure you have enough batteries for devices that will need it, but store them separately. They can degrade and flee over time, damaging the elements they are intended to feed. Install them only when necessary.

Loading stations or loaded and ready -to -use portable electric banks can be a life buoy for phones and small devices, and a dedicated battery backup station can maintain your operational WiFi.

A potentially vital tip is to "install backup batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors", according to Barry Gray , archaeologist, carpenter and founder of Square tools . "This will guarantee that you will be alerted from all potential dangers even if the power is out. Use a wireless forest to easily install the batteries."

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"If the power is released for an extended period and the temperature drops below the frost, your pipes could freeze and burst," notes Matt Hagens , Carpenter and founder of Obsessed wood work . "To prevent it from happening, make sure your pipes are properly insulated. You can use pipe sleeves or wrap your pipes in insulation tape to keep them warm."

"If you are in a position where you do not have a backup source source (or a heating source that does not count on electricity), your best action plan is to empty all of the pipes in your home to prevent water inside them from freezing, "adds Meagher. "Note that it will take a while for the pipes to freeze with water inside so that you have time to do it because the power is out."

Another one plumbing detail You may not have considered: the sump pump which maintains excess water out of your basement. "Make sure to test your sump pump by pouring a few gallons of water into the maid pit to make sure that the pump turns on," advises Sara Lambert , principal director of category management at Plus batteries . "An ordinary sump pump will not work if the power dies go out, but you can install an emergency housing pump powered by battery to protect your home. If you have a spare housing pump, make sure to test That the battery is always good before a winter storm. "

Staying warm at home can be absolute priority. "Wear layers of warm clothing and use blankets and sleeping bags to stay warm," explains Hagens. "You can also use a fireplace or a wood stove (if you have one) to stay warm, but be sure to follow the safety guidelines." If you have a backup generator, the radiators are also excellent, but again, be sure to follow all the safety instructions. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

Read this then: 7 secrets to buy a house now, according to real estate experts .

Having a backup generator is not as simple as ordering one online. There are three main types of generators - portable generators, home rescue generators and power plants - and you will have to know which one is best for your home.

"Portable generators are smaller units that work on gas or propane and provide enough electricity to execute some basic essential elements," explains Lambert. According to Meagher, these can generally be purchased for less than $ 1,500, however, "if you are going to run a portable unit, you will also want to obtain a manual transfer switch which will be greater than $ 1,000 to install."

"Home rescue generators are connected to the electrical system of your home and operate on your fuel diet (propane or natural gas)," explains Lambert. "These types of generators automatically enter into a power failure and will supply a much larger number of applications." These generally cost between $ 5,000 and $ 15,000.

For these two options, you will have to have enough fuel at hand, stored safely, to supply the generator. Make sure the unit checks regularly and maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations. And make sure to follow all security precautions: for example, never try to run a gas generator inside and test your Carbon monoxide detector Before using a generator.

"If you are concerned about carbon monoxide emissions, consider buying a battery or a solar generator, because these do not release carbon monoxide," recommends Lambert. They are considered to be power plants.

Without being able to get on the TV to watch the news, you will want to keep phones and other small electronic devices powered with portable batteries or supply banks, as well as a battery backup station to feed The wifi of your home.

Gray reminds us that classic field radio also shines at times like these. "A long -range bidirectional radio can be used to communicate with your neighbors and stay up to date on all local emergencies, while a satellite phone can help you stay connected even in distant areas."