As with any ice storm, there is always a chance that power lines could go down. You may want to have a few items handy just in case... Being Prepared If the Power Goes Out First, know where your circuit breakers are located and how to check to see if a breaker switch is tripped. If you use electricity for your water, such as a well with an electric pump, have enough water available to last a couple of days. You should have at least a gallon of drinking water a day for each person in your house for drinking and cooking. Have a number of flash lights with fresh batteries in your home, and know where they are located. Also consider having a plug-in flashlight that remains charged until you need it - use, for example, in a dark hallway socket. Consider flashlights or lanterns with LED bulbs that feature long battery life. Have spare batteries to replace ones that run out. (Make sure you recycle the old batteries properly - dont just toss them in the trash.) Have a battery-powered (or one with a built-in, hand-crank generator) radio or television set to listen to news and weather announcements. If you dont have those, a quick trip to your car will give you a radio to listen to. Dont start up your car with garage door closed, and dont run your car for long periods of time inside your garage. Post the emergency number for your electric utility so its handy in case you need to call. Stay well away from any downed electric lines! Have an ice chest available to store needed medications or special foods that must remain cold. Have blue Ice freezer packs ready for the ice chest to keep your medication cold. Have a regular, hard-wired telephone, not just a cordless model, and a charged cell phone. Unless the telephone lines and cell towers are down, you should have telephone service. If you use electricity for your water, such as a well with an electric pump, have enough water available to last a couple of days. You should have at least a gallon of drinking water a day for each person in your house for drinking and cooking. If you want to have a backup generator, make sure it is installed by a licensed electrician and approved by your electric utility. Check with your local building department to see if a permit is needed. Make sure the system has an automatic breaker that disconnects the house from the power companys regular electricity lines when it is running. This prevents electricity from leaking back into the grid and making it dangerous for utility workers. Have a household first aid kit and a disaster preparedness backpack kit (the American Red Cross offers this kit for sale) in case something happens. Have a household disaster plan that you and your family can follow if something occurs. Include a meeting place for your family.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 23:12:17 +0000
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