This summer, a lot of people are stressed about the power grid due to winter storms that left many without power. Although many that face this problem is in Texas, power outages happen all over the world. So, it is always wise to be prepared for a power outage, especially during times of extreme weather. These ten tips will help you to keep cool if you find yourself in a power outage, without forcing yourself to spend a fortune on items that may not help to begin with.
1. Change Clothes
One of the most important things you can do during this time is to choose the right clothing. It is important to pick out loose-fitting clothing to prevent your clothes from locking in your body heat. If you have athletic clothing that is designed to keep you cool, then swapping into these clothes might be your best option. If not, choose lightweight clothing that is breathable. If you have to be outside during this time, then avoid dark clothing as well. Indoors, you will want to remove socks and hats to help your body temperature stay cooler.
2. Move to Lowest Level
Heat rises, so one of the best things you can do during this time is to move to the lowest level of your home. If you have more than one story on your home, then you might want to consider having a camp out downstairs until the power returns. Basements and cellars will also help to keep you feeling cooler, especially if it is a cellar that is typically used to store items that need to maintain a cooler temperature. You might try to stay out of a cellar as much as you can though as your body heat might cause the room to warm up if there are too many people in the space. Peak hours are the best time to hang out in such a space to help keep the area cool in case the power is off for many days.
3. Battery Operated Fan
One of the best things you can have in your home for an emergency such as this is a battery-operated fan. You might have to do a bit of searching around in order to pull this off, but there are numerous options on the market. Even if you can pick up a small fan, it will help more than having nothing. It might also prevent you from wanting to open the windows as the moving air can actually improve the feeling in the room. A battery-operated fan will also provide you with the opportunity to create a DIY air conditioner if you are dealing with extreme heat. For this, you will need a cooler, plenty of ice, and a fan. There are lots of tutorials online, so you can always find one that works best for you.
4. Reconsider Windows
When the power goes out, one of the first things some people might do is open up the windows. This could be one of your biggest mistakes, especially if it is already hot outside. If you’re dealing with peak heat and your air conditioning has been running, then your best option is to keep the windows shut tightly. The cold air will actually stay in your home for quite some time, especially if the home is well insulated. You might, of course, take some preventative measures to keep the heat outside of the house. One easy way to do this is to put tin foil over your windows to help keep the heat out. It will knock out your natural light source, but if you’re dealing with extreme heat this might be a sacrifice worth taking. You should also put towels in front of your doors to help block hot air from coming in any holes that there may be.
5. Keep Refrigerator Closed
Another common mistake people will make is they will open up the refrigerator to pull out food or drink. One of the best things you can do, especially if you’re hoping the power will be restored quickly is to keep the refrigerator door closed. By doing this, you will ensure your food will stay at a safe temperature for the next four hours, which will definitely save you some money. So, even if you’re tempted to feel the remaining cool air on your face, try to avoid the temptation as much as you possibly can.
6. Utilize a Cooler
When the power goes out, one of your best weapons against the heat is going to be cold drinks. Of course, you may just want to have ice around to use to cool your body down as well. One of the best ways to do this is to have a cooler ready to go. If you can, quickly dump the ice from your freezer into it, so you don’t lose cool air in the freezer. You might also see if a nearby store has ice and is still able to operate. Some stores that lose power might sell some of their products at a reduced price if they are worried about losing the items. A cooler will not only allow you to keep cold water around to help lower your body temperature, but it will keep ice, which you can make into ice packs to also help cool your body down.
7. Stay Hydrated
It is important to stay hydrated every day of the week. However, if you find yourself in a power outage in the triple-digit heat, then you are definitely going to want to make sure you’re drinking as much water as you can. Drinking water in the heat can help prevent damage that can last for the rest of your life. Water is the best thing to drink in the heat, but you can add things like lemon or cucumber to help improve hydration even more. You should avoid sodas, alcohol, and sugary drinks which might make you feel thirstier and certainly won’t do your body any favors.
8. Alternative Power Source
Another important thing to keep in your home is an alternative power source. After the grid went down in Texas over the winter, a lot of people have started to stock up on things like generators. These tend to run on gasoline and the size of the generator will depend on how much power it will produce. These are perfect for people who need power for their oxygen tanks and other life-saving devices. Another option is solar power. You can buy many solar-powered products, such as phone chargers, but there are also some solar panels that you can set up to help offer small amounts of power to your home. If you’re truly worried about this happening, you might look into getting solar panels on your home.
9. Be Well Stocked
No matter what is going on in the world or what concerns you may have, the best thing you can do at all times is to be well-stocked. Having emergency supplies on hand can make a stressful situation a little less concerning because you do have a safety net that can aid in your survival. When it comes to your emergency kit, you should always have basic first aid on hand. You also need canned and other dry food items that you can use in an emergency. Bottled water is another must, especially during a power outage when you might not have access to your water filtration system. It is often overlooked, but symptoms for emergencies, such as heat stroke, should be stored away so you know when to seek emergency care when looking up symptoms online isn’t an option.
10. Leave the House
Often, in these situations, the grid might not be out in some areas of your town or city. If this is the case, then you might see if there are friends or family members that can take you in until the power is back on. Of course, if you do leave for a prolonged period of time, you should think about any animals in the home as they will be hot and uncomfortable too. You might luck out and be able to find them a place to stay, but there are many boarding options available as well. If you can’t visit someone, then you might consider heading to the movie theater or other place that might help keep you cool. If worse comes to worst, then go for a drive in the car so you can at least enjoy the air conditioner. You should never sit with your vehicle running in a garage though as this can lead to death or serious illness.
There is a lot to worry about when it comes to the summer heat. Losing power can be one of the scariest things when you know it is going to hit triple-degree temperatures. These ten tips should help you cut back on the discomfort while keeping you safer as you wait out a power outage. With any luck, you won’t have to use them.
