Power outages can cause quite an inconvenience, especially when it's particularly hot or cold out and you need to have the air conditioning or heat running to be comfortable. Whether you’re without power for only a few hours or it drags on for several days, it’s important to be fully prepared with emergency kits and backup generators for whatever the situation may bring. Jeff Bonham Electric, Dayton’s number one residential and commercial electrical contractor, advises keeping the following tips in mind to help you get through a power outage safe and sound:

• Have A Power Outage Kit Prepared: There are a few specific items that really come in handy when there’s a power outage. Each of these things should be compiled together in a kit and accessibly stored until they are needed. This includes flashlights, extra batteries, candles, matches, water, a handheld can opener, non-perishable foods, a first aid kit, a radio, and blankets.
• Be Mindful Of Refrigerator Contents: During a power outage, it’s best to refrain from opening refrigerators and freezers as much as possible so as not to let all the cool air escape. It’s also a good idea to open the refrigerator one time to take out all the perishable food items so those can be consumed first.
• Use Generators With Caution: Generators often save the day when the power goes out in a home or business; however, it’s critical not to operate one in any kind of wet weather or plug one into a wall outlet without a suitable power transfer switch. Portable generators will work to keep the essentials of a household or business running while the power is out.

  

• Unplug Electronics & Appliances: As the power gets restored from an outage, there can be a surge of voltage before everything returns to normal. To keep this from damaging expensive electronics and appliances, each item should be unplugged and not plugged back in or turned on for several minutes after the power comes back on.

It’s essential not to panic when the power goes out, but instead, to remember how well you’ve prepared and what steps you’re supposed to take next. Dayton’s best local electrical contractor, Jeff Bonham Electric, is available to answer any questions about standby generators. Call (937) 233-7662 or visit their website for more information.