Power outages can happen at any point in time. The power lines can get compromised, a storm is bearing down on you or there is curfew in your area. If you are prepared for power outages, you will get the opportunity to stay away from hassle during such a situation. Here is a list of 5 things that you must include in your emergency blackout kit that comes to your survival during a power outage.
1. A light producing object
It is extremely important for you to include an object that can product light without electricity in your blackout kit. It can be an emergency light, glow sticks or few candles. You need to keep them in an area that can easily be accessed. It is better if you can attach some stickers that glow in the dark, so that you can easily find them in the middle of the night without any hassle. You should also include a matchbox and a stash of batteries in your blackout kit.
2. A first aid kit
Emergencies can happen during power outages as well and if you want to stay away from hassle during such a situation, you need to keep a first aid around the home. The first aid kit should include pain medicine, antibiotic ointments such as Neosporin, and antiseptic solutions such as hydrogen peroxide, scissors, gauze tape and bandages of different sizes.
3. A battery powered radio
A battery powered radio can assist you to get latest updates about your neighborhood during a power outage. If you have a stash of batteries, you will be able to listen to the battery powered radio for several days. The radio can assist you to keep abreast of everything happening in your neighborhood during emergencies. For example, if there is a storm, the relevant authorities might issue an evacuation notice. The battery powered radio can give you enough time to prepare and it can even save your life during such instances. A radio is more reliable than internet or television.
4. A gas camping stove
When there’s no electricity, you will find it as a difficult task to prepare food or heat water. Therefore, it is important for you to have a gas camping stove in your blackout kit. You should also keep charcoal or propane tank in storage to be used in such instances. Propane is more effective than charcoal in wet weather conditions.
5. A car charger or a power bank
When there is no electricity, you will not be able to recharge your mobile phones. Therefore, you must include a power bank or a car charger in your blackout kit. However, you need to have a basic understanding on how to use the car charger to recharge your mobile phone as well. Otherwise, you would end up killing your car battery. If you don’t want to go through this hassle, you can simply keep a portable power bank or solar generator in your “just in case” or blackout kit.