Summer power outages aren't just more common than they used to be. They're more dangerous, too. When extreme heat and a grid failure happen simultaneously, a blackout that would be a minor inconvenience in October becomes a genuine health risk, particularly for young children, older adults and anyone with a medical condition affected by temperature. The time to prepare for that scenario isn't when it's already happening. A short checklist of supplies and plans, put together before the next heat wave, can make a blackout significantly easier to manage safely.
The weather is finally changing now, but blackouts can still happen. Being prepared is important because, according to the US Energy Information Administration, the average blackout lasts longer than five hours. Over five hours without air conditioning can lead to heat-related health complications. The good news is that there are ways you can keep yourself and others physically and mentally cool when this happens.
1. Prepare an emergency kit
An emergency kit is simple to build and doesn't cost much money. You can even buy one at big-box retailers. Here's what your emergency kit should include:
- Band-Aid gauze, ointments, and butterfly bandages
- Essential medication
- At least one gallon of drinking water available per person for at least a few days
- A well-insulated cooler and ice packs to keep medications cool
- Non-perishable food items, like canned goods, dry cereal, nuts, snacks and other shelf-stable items that don't require cooking.
2. Alert your utility company
Have your utility company's number available to report the outage. While they might already know of your situation, informing them gives them a better idea of the outage's scope. In some instances, they might provide an estimate for when your power will return. This is vital information to have, as it can help prepare you for a prolonged outage if one happens.
3. Check on relatives, friends and neighbors
If the summer blackout is widespread, affecting loved ones or friends, connect with them and see if they're OK. Outages can especially affect those with medical conditions, children and older adults. Therefore, ensuring they have a place to go with air conditioning and enough water is paramount.
If the whole neighborhood is out of power, check with your local Red Cross or the news about nearby areas like libraries or schools that have power and are open to the public. These sanctuaries ensure people with medical conditions have someplace cool to rest until power is back on.
4. Stock up on food for longer outages
For those living in areas with more inclement weather, preparing for prolonged outages is ideal. Along with following these tips, you'll want to inspect your fridge and freezer to toss food you can't properly store without power before it decays. If you can afford it, consider buying an ice chest to store frozen and refrigerated goods. And if you have a grill, you have an outside cooking source to use up meat and veggies before they expire. If you can't afford an ice chest, keep meats, fruits and vegetables in coolers.
Moreover, if you live in areas where prolonged outages happen often, like Houston, you should consider a home generator. Although they are expensive, they can also provide a much-needed sanctuary when your home runs out of power and will be out for an extended period of time.
5. Have other light sources
Store a flashlight in every room of your home. That way, when the power goes out, you'll have lighting in every room. If you don't want to mess with batteries, consider motion-powered options. However, if you select battery-powered flashlights, keep a fresh supply of batteries on hand.
Alternatively, you could also use candles as light sources. Stock matchsticks or check on your lighter to ensure it works and doesn't need lighter fluid. Before lighting a candle, move around your room and check for gas leaks (if applicable).
6. Install blackout curtains
Blackout curtains achieve several goals. They prevent light from entering your room by blocking out UV rays and exterior light from other sources. They work as another layer of protection for rooms with blinds, where gaps can allow light to shine through.
Since blackout curtains also reflect heat, they'll keep that area of your home cooler during a summer blackout. If you have someone with a medical condition or heat sensitivity, you'll want to place them in a room with blackout curtains during a power outage.
7. Wear cooling clothes
When the power goes out, it won't take long for your home to heat up. One way to combat the heat is to wear cooling clothes, which dissipate heat and promote airflow, helping you to remain comfortable in an uncomfortable situation.
Usually, cooling clothes have three properties:
- Breathable materials: By allowing for more airflow, these materials prevent sweat from sticking to your skin, so you'll cool off quickly. You should refrain from wearing fabrics containing wool or polyester since they'll make you sweatier.
- Moisture-wicking capabilities: When your body overheats, sweat is created to cool it down. However, if you're wearing non-cooling clothing, you'll be uncomfortable because the fabric won't remove the moisture from your skin. Cooling clothing achieves this by using hydrophobic fibers to repel the sweat from your clothing and skin, allowing your body to cool down without feeling bogged down.
- Temperature regulation: You'll want to wear clothes that evaporate sweat quickly, contain higher thermal connectivity and have thermal convection. When you put on a cooler material, your body feels cooler since heat goes from the warmest parts of your clothing to the coolest.
8. Keep devices charged with portable chargers
Having cell service is akin to a bodily function for most of us. However, when the lights go out and you don't have access to a power source, then anxiety can be induced. After all, you don't want a dead phone battery to prevent you from contacting friends and loved ones, and if you need them, emergency personnel.
That's why you'll want to have backup charging solutions ready to go. Power banks are a wise choice if you keep them charged before an outage occurs. That way you can plug in your smartphone and remain connected.
You can also buy battery-powered or hand-crank phone chargers. With either option, you don't have to worry about them being plugged in and powered before an outage. Just be sure to have fresh batteries on hand for battery-powered options.
9. Recognize the signs of heat stroke
During hotter months, and especially when a summer blackout takes out your A/C, it's vital to know the signs of heat stroke. If you notice someone starting to feel disoriented or appear flushed, you'll want them to rest someplace cooler, apply a cold pack or towel to their skin and call 9-1-1. You don't want to give them water to drink, as they may be confused and unable to swallow safely.
These are other symptoms of heat stroke to keep an eye out for, per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness (coma)
- Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
- Seizures
- Very high body temperature
Also, if you have older neighbors or those with mobility disabilities, check on them regularly. Doing so can help you identify signs of heat stroke and address the situation before it becomes even more dangerous.