Be Prepared for Summer Power Outages: 5 Tips
Storms and power outages are not just a winter event. Blustery winds in April have already knocked power out to more than 60,000 customers in Arlington, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. If you want to protect your home this summer, we’ve got some tips to help you weather the worst of it.
Don’t Get Caught Unawares
Whether you live in a condominium in Herndon, a vineyard in Leesburg, or a horse farm in Middleburg, you need the power to keep the lights, air conditioning, and machinery running. If you live in the countryside, you might rely on well water that requires electricity to run.
Summer Storms: What to Expect
Although Virginia’s climate is generally temperate, there are some weather dangers that can strike in the summertime.
Thunderstorms: Virginia gets most of its rainfall from tropical storms that range from mild showers to fierce storms. Last August, summer storms caused massive flooding in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. Winds reached 66 mph at Dulles Airport and caused hundreds of trees to fall.
Lightning storms: Getting struck by lightning can cause heart failure and brain damage. About 43 people in the US die each year from lightning strikes.
Tornadoes: Virginia gets about 11 tornadoes a year. Peak tornado season is March through May, but these destructive storms can happen any time of year.
How to Prepare for Summer Outages: 5 Tips
1. Stock Up on Water
You should always keep jugs filled with water on hand. You can use empty soda bottles and milk jugs to store tap water. Count on needing a gallon per day for each person. Don’t forget water for your pets. Include a box of water purification tablets in case your clean water supply runs out.
Fill your bathtubs before the storm hits. Use that water to flush your toilets, washcloths, and keep yourself clean.
2. Get In the Water
Use the water in your bathtubs to cool off if your air conditioning stops working. If you have a pool, leave the water in it and go for a swim. If it’s safe to go out and you’re close to a natural body of water, take a dip or at least soak your feet in the cool water. This will help lower your body temperature.
3. Use Fans and Cooling Towels
When you stock up on water, add some good-quality, battery-powered fans to your supply. These will come in handy when the temperature rises. You can find solar-powered fans that will work even if the electricity goes out.
Cooling towels are another smart addition to your emergency stash. You simply wet the towel in water and wring it out. It will stay cool for hours.
4. Store Food Safely
Keep food fresh with an ice-filled cooler. Keep perishables in it as part of your emergency food supply. You should also stock up on items that you can safely store for a long time, like canned foods, shelf-stable milk, and dry goods.
If the power has gone out, keep your refrigerator and freezer closed. Food in a full freezer can stay frozen for about 48 hours. If your freezer is half full, the food will stay frozen for 24 hours.
5. Get a Generator
If you want to be absolutely certain you won’t lose power during an outage, a generator is a perfect solution. You can purchase a small, portable generator to keep a few lights and some small appliances running or get a medium-sized generator to keep most of the lights, your refrigerator, and a laptop on.
A whole-house generator is the best way to keep all your lights, appliances, and air conditioning on. Once you install it, you never have to worry. The moment the power goes out, your whole-house generator will kick on and start everything up. It’s the best way to have peace of mind in every season.
Get the Power With SESCOS
If you’re interested in protecting your power, talk to SESCOS. We sell all types of generators. If you choose a whole-house option, we can install it safely and professionally. We’ll also perform regular maintenance on it. Contact SESCOS for all your electrical needs.