Preps For Short Term Power Outage
A short term power outage will only cause inconvenience for most of us. The longer it drags on the more inconvenient.
For the sake of discussion and some fun, let’s talk preparedness for a regional power outage lasting 24 hours or less. And let’s say that it happens while you’re at home, not at work.
What are some of the preps that come to mind? What might you have on hand for such a power outage – to make life a little less interrupted?
Instead of listing a zillion things, lets limit the list to what might be the most practical or beneficial during a minor event such as this. We’re probably not going to need to unsheathe our Bowie knife or pop the tops off of 5 gallon buckets of rice & beans, but there might be a few things that will make our life a little easier…
Here are my initial thoughts:
Water (only for some)
A short term loss of electricity will not affect municipal infrastructure to the extent that you will notice. However if you’re on a well, you will only have water that’s sitting in your pressure tank (probably less than 50 gallons). So be cautious of toilet flushes that use lots of water. I rely on a well pump and one of my water contingencies is that I do store extra.
Generator for short term power outage
A generator solves lots of inconvenient issues! If you have a whole-house generator, then you might as well stop the list right here.
Not everyone has a generator, so let’s move on:
Flashlights & LED Lanterns
If it goes on into the evening and nighttime, you can either sit in the dark, go to bed, or turn on some lights. In this case, battery powered lighting (or that from solar charged lighting – which still charges a internal ‘battery’).
Camp Stove
A good old portable camp stove will efficiently cook a can of beef stew from your food storage pantry. It will also enable a nice hot cup of coffee, tea, or chocolate ;)
I have an old Coleman, however I have also had the following little stove for years which has served me well too. It’s actually fueled by butane canisters:
GAS ONE 9,000 BTU Portable Gas Stove
Coffee Percolator
Which leads me to the next item, a coffee percolator for you coffee drinkers out there. Gotta have that morning cup (or two) of joe… (where did that term come from?)
Portable Indoor Heater
Okay, I didn’t say what season we’re in, but if it’s Fall or Winter (or early Spring), some of us will get a wee bit chilly when the heat’s not working. Have a wood stove? Then you’re all set. Otherwise a convenient but effective indoor portable heater might be a good idea.
Mr. Heater Buddy Indoor-Safe (4,000 , 9,000 and 18,000 BTU)
Review: ‘Mr. Heater Buddy’ for Winter Survival Preparedness
Portable Charger for Gadgets & Phones
I use one of the “Anker” brand portable chargers (it’s a high capacity battery) which outputs USB to charge devices (e.g. cell phones, Tablets, iPads, etc..). While a short term power outage is minimal, if you’re device happens to be low on charge then this little charger will save the day…
Anker 20000mAh Portable Charger
What else might you have in order to lessen one’s inconvenience during a short term power outage?
I suppose we could eat the ice cream in the freezer before it melts…