Power outages are often due to weather-related issues, and they can happen unexpectedly. Get a generator so that your family isn’t sitting in the dark and can enjoy the comforts of home, like hot food and lit rooms. If you find yourself with the power out, use this guide to determine what to do next.

5 Steps to Take After a Power Outage

1. Check the Breaker Box & Call Your Neighbors

Find out if the outage is because of a flipped breaker switch. Too many major appliances used at once can cause the breaker box to turn the power off as an electrical safety measure. If the issue isn’t breaker-related, call the neighbors to see if they’re also experiencing power losses and have heard anything from the local electric company.

2. Contact an Electrician

Call an electrician if you believe the outage is specific to your home instead of a block or neighborhood-wide problem. The electrician will identify the cause of the outage and get the power back as quickly as possible.

3. Turn on Your Generator

Use your emergency generator to illuminate the home and power major appliances as needed. A backup generator is essential to maintaining power during outages, which is important if the loss of power is flood-related.

4. Avoid Opening the Refrigerator

Don’t open the refrigerator to keep its contents chilled. This appliance uses a lot of electricity, so plugging it into the generator may not leave you with capacity for other electronics. Instead, preserve the chill inside by keeping the doors closed. Focus on consuming nonperishable food from the emergency kit and drinking bottled water.

5. Turn Off Appliances & Fill Your Sinks

Unplug every appliance to avoid electrical surges when the power returns. Surges can damage laptops, televisions, and charging cell phones.

If you think the outage will last more than 24 hours, fill the tubs and sinks with water. The liquid is safe to drink in the event of water sanitation system malfunctions. 

If you want to be prepared for an unexpected outage, turn to World-Wide Industrial Sales and Services Inc, on Oahu, HI. This retailer has provided homeowners across the state with reliable portable generators since 1999. They’ll also help you care for your generator by performing periodic repairs to ensure it remains functional for years. To get more information about their inventory, visit them online or call (808) 678-9601.