Prepare Your Home for Power Outages

Prepare Your Home for Power Outages

Sporadic power outages are very frustrating and something that we are all having to live with. And, as we draw in towards winter there is a chance that outages could become more frequent. To add to our frustration levels, power interruptions often catch us off guard, catch us when we least expect it and disrupt our plans. At Seeff Properties Botswana, we believe that we can alleviate some of this frustration if we prepare ourselves and our homes. As Benjamin Disreali said, "prepared for the worst but hope for the best". There is no harm in being prepared for a blackout.

Seeff Properties looks at a few ways that we can prepare our homes to reduce some of the frustration without breaking the bank.

Safety and Security

Being safe in our homes is one of our top priorities. However, if there is an unplanned power interruption in the evening or during the night, we could be exposing ourselves and our loved ones.

If you have an electric gate motor, check that the battery has the capacity to last through a power outage. You should, at the very least, be able to get access to your home if you are out when the power goes off. Once inside, if needs be, you can turn the motor to manual as and when you need to go through the gate. However, don't leave your gate on manual as that could put you at risk of intruders.

A great addition to your home safety and security are the installation of solar motion sensor lights. Nowadays, there are various shops around town that sell these and they are easy enough for you to install at home yourself. Just ensure that there is always adequate lighting at the entrance to your home, especially if there is need for you to be moving around after dark.

As many power outages happen at peak times (which is often in the evening) it is important to always keep your external doors and windows closed and locked. Many crooks are opportunists, and a dark, open house is a prime target for them. Also draw your curtains. Not only will you be safer in your home, but you will keep the warmth indoors.

If you have a house alarm, check that the battery is in good working order. If you are unsure, speak to your service provider. Regular servicing of your alarm will ensure that it sees you through any power outage.

Rechargeable Devices

We have all know the situation of the power bring off and using our cellphone torch as a light source. And we all know the stress of seeing the battery indicator turning red. Rather than using your cellphone as a torch, invest in a small rechargeable torch / lamp. As with the solar lights above, there are many shops selling these now and they range in price to suit your budget. If you have children, look at getting them a light each. All too often, as soon as there is limited lighting in the house, children will start playing up and fearing the dark.

On this point, designate an area in your home that is the main store area for all these devices. Always keep the devices in the same place and have that as the area where they return to and are recharged. It seems like such an obvious thing to do but all too often we don't do it and then end up stumbling around the house trying to find a torch. Another great investment is a power bank. These are invaluable in the event any of the rechargeable devices start to drain low. Again, they come with various capacities to suit your budget. Power banks, lights, cables and torches should all have a designated "home" and always returned to that space when the power returns.

If you rely on battery powered torches, keep that torch and spare batteries in this same place.

Indoor Lighting

Along with the smaller portable torches and lights we have mentioned, it may be a good idea to invest in a few larger rechargeable lights for indoors. If you shop around, you are bound to find something with enough light and within your budget. Obviously, if you can afford to, you can invest in a generator or invertor. However, these are quite expensive and there are cheaper alternatives available. You can also look at specialist light bulbs that stay on when the power goes off. These are good to use in communal areas and high traffic areas in your home (such as kitchen, hallway and lounge).

Be wary of using any form of lighting indoors that has a naked flame or uses any sort of chemical to burn. Flames pose a fire hazard and should be used only under competent supervision. Never let a child have control over any item with a naked flame. Rather look to shops that sell small LED lights that can be a perfect addition to a child's bedroom for comfort at bedtime.

Fridges and Food Supplies

Fridges and freezers have the capacity to keep contents cool or an extended period, as long as they are not opened too much. Try to minimise opening the fridge during times of power outages. On average, a good working freezer should keep contents from spoiling for up to 24 hours, as long as the door is kept closed. Make sure children are also aware of this as they tend to always be in and out of fridges looking for snacks.

Final Tips

1. Someone once advised that if the power goes off, turn on one light switch. That way when the power returns you will know about it.
2. Keep a couple of 2 litre empty plastic bottles with frozen water in your freezer. These will act like large ice packs when the power is off and keep the core temperature down.
3. Unplug your high value electronics (TV, decoder, computer). When power returns there can often be a power surge that could cause irreparable damage to these items.
4. If you are aware there will be a power interruption, fill a flask with hot, boiled water. A cup of tea is always a welcome relief when the power is off.
5. If you have an electric stove / oven, see if you can invest in a small one burner gas hob. Many camping and wholesale shops sell these and they are so handy if you rely on electricity to cook.

Lastly, always treat your power supplies / sockets as "live". Power can be restored at any time, and it is always better to be safe than sorry.

These are challenging situations but with a little bit of preparation, we can ease some of the frustrations that we all feel.

By: Letso Palai