A hypnotical scenario
In this post I would just like to touch on a hypothetical situation, just to get you into the safety frame of mind, of beginning to prepare for a natural disaster.
Let’s pretend for example that you wake up in the early morning to a loud clap of thunder and notice you have no power. Your alarm clock is blinking, your summer fans have stopped oscillating and there is no street lights shining through your window like normal. You reach for your cell phone – phew, it is still working but you notice the battery life is low. You get up and make your way to the bathroom pausing at your front door to take a peek out in the hallway only to be assured by the emergency lights it is the whole building. You make your way to the bathroom, nature calls.
Let’s start there.
One of the first things I would do is put some water in the tub. This will give you water for many things since at this point you really don’t know how long the power will be out. Take comfort in the fact that this water is not wasted since you can simply add hot water later and enjoy a bath.
Next, I would use my cell phone to see if I can find any information. It is still very early morning, no one is posting anything and nothing on local news channel. You notice that low battery icon again.
This brings me to the first item which I feel everyone should have.
Some type of portable charger, they are not very expensive and we all know how much we rely on our cell phones.
Therefore, at this point I would most likely plug in my cell phone and go back to sleep. What if you don’t have a battery back up? Well, if it was too early to text anyone, I would turn my phone off and save the power for later. Later, I can text those important people that my power is off and my phone is dying. At this point you are still unsure how many people are affected, it is just you area or your whole town?
So now let’s imagine it is a couple hours later and it is still rainy very heavily but, time to get up and take the dog for walk outside so he can do his business. This gives you the chance to perhaps meet a neighbor in the hallway and check if they know what’s going on. Moreover, you can get outside and look down both sides of your street for signs of power, but you see nothing, it is all still very dark.
Coming back inside you, check your phone for updates and text some important people. Perhaps that is the last of your battery power now what?
This brings me to the second easy item to have stored away.
A hand crank radio is good, one with added solar and battery back up power is even better – two birds one stone
Even if I had my cell phone charged or charging, I would still use this to save power – listen for updates or just listen to music, why not.
Time for breakfast, can you have a cold breakfast allowing you to keep your fridge closed? Again, at this point you do not know how long you will be in this situation. The thunderstorm continues outside, so what do you do? Relax, play with the dog, lite a candle and read a book.
Around noon, you finally hear and update on the local radio channel. Your whole town is experiencing the power outage and millions are without power. At this point it is not expected to be fixed for at least 48 hours –
time to get serious about your game plan. A power outage does not have to be made into a huge deal if your have a few items ready to help you and your family through it. Think it through before it happens, now is the time to get these items and know where they are in you home.
Simple items that will make a huge difference.
Power bank – how big does this have to be – well that depends on your needs for example are you charging your phone or do you have a CPAP machine those power draws are very different? Do you want to be able to play a movie for you or your kids? (inset jackery links here)
Radio
Candles,
Flashlights,
Some form of entertainment – make it fun especially if you have children, read a book, do a puzzle make a blanket fort, teach the dog a new trick.
Non cook food – granola bars, fruit cups, bottled water, think kids lunch foods etc
If the outage truly last only 48 hours, you will be fine. Sit back settle in, welcome this time unplugged from technology just like a tech shabbat(link). Your food in the fridge will survive (as long as you are not opening the door every hour) your toilet will continue to flush (and if it doesn’t well remember that water you put in the tub first thing…now is time to use it, to force the flush-more on that in another post)