From lamps to kitchen appliances to computers: these and many other devices only work with electricity. Our dependence on electricity only becomes noticeable in everyday life when the power supply no longer works. But what do you do in the event of a power outage?
Find light sources
First and foremost, it is important to remain calm during a power outage. When it’s dark, you should provide light. Light sources such as candles or flashlights are ideal for bringing light into the darkness and minimizing the risk of injury within your own four walls.
The smartphone flashlight is also a good choice for the first use.
But to save your cell phone battery, you should switch to another light source as quickly as possible. In order to correctly assess the situation, it is helpful to know whether the power outage only affects your own house or the entire street.
Avoid cable fire
If the power outage only affects your own home, we recommend checking the fuse and distribution box. If possible, turn the fuses back on. If the fuses cannot be switched back on at all or only with rough force, you should look elsewhere to find the cause. In this case, you are well advised to turn off all electrical devices and then operate the toggle switch in the fuse box again.
If this measure does not bring the desired result, you should contact an electrician. Broken power lines may be responsible for the power outage. If the fuse only works when force is used, the worst possible scenario is a cable fire behind the plastered walls.
Power outage in the city: what to do?
If the entire city is affected by the power outage, it is also important to remain calm. In the event of a total failure, it usually only takes a few minutes or hours until the problem is resolved. If possible, you should avoid traveling by car, as non-functioning traffic lights increase the risk of accidents.
If electrical devices are a source of danger, it makes sense to completely disconnect them from the power supply.
Otherwise, there is a high risk that these devices will cause damage once the power is back on. In addition, you can display all the electrical devices that you don’t necessarily need in case the power comes back on. This category includes, for example, computers, televisions and coffee machines.
Use battery-powered devices carefully
When using devices on battery power, it is important to use them sparingly. Especially at the beginning of a power outage, it is difficult to estimate how long it will last. It is therefore uncertain when the batteries can be recharged.
So-called crank radios or battery-operated radios serve as a source of information about the current status of the power outage.
After the power failure – first measures
If the power outage lasts several hours, the refrigerator and freezer are at risk of defrosting. If the food inside thaws too much, it can spoil. If the interrupted power supply falls below the 5-hour mark, you can continue to use perishable foods without any problems. However, the refrigerator and freezer doors should be closed at all times.
If you have unplugged some electrical devices in preparation, you can now reconnect them. It is also necessary to correct settings for displays on watches and system settings for electrical devices. Additional attention is paid to the question of whether the heating is still working.
Attention power outage: Tips for preparation
Blackouts that last for a long period of time are quite rare in this country. Small power outages occur much more often, for which you should protect yourself with reserve batteries, candles, tea lights and flashlights.
Lighters or matches are just as important as mobile camping or alcohol stoves.
Crank radios or battery-operated radios are helpful for regularly informing yourself about the current status of the power outage. While burning cartridges are suitable for mobile stoves, heaters or emergency blankets that function without electricity provide the necessary heat.
Secure water supply in the event of a power outage?
In the event of a power outage, the water supply is secured for a limited period of time. However, for safety reasons, it makes sense to always have enough water in glass bottles on hand.
2023-12-19 02:42:42