Genius House Hacks · a GopherCentral & PulseTV publication
Household Hacks & Safety · Sep 06, 2023 edition

Four Simple Ways to Prepare for a Power Outage

From the Genius House Hacks archive.

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Storms and grid troubles can knock the power out with little warning. A bit of advance prep makes the inconvenience much easier to handle.

Freeze Water Bottles Ahead of Time

A few frozen water bottles tucked into the fridge and freezer help keep food cold longer during an outage, and double as drinking water once they thaw.

Keep Everything Charged

Phones, laptops, and portable battery packs are worth topping off whenever a storm or outage is forecast, so there's no scramble once the lights go out.

Choose Safer Lighting

Battery-powered lanterns and flashlights are a safer bet than candles, which carry a real fire risk, especially in a house full of distracted or anxious family members.

Put Together an Emergency Kit

A basic kit with a flashlight, batteries, a battery or crank-powered radio, bottled water, and non-perishable snacks means there's no hunting around in the dark for essentials.

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