Power Protection FEATURED ARTICLE

Power outages are always a troublesome situation, but can border on dangerous when they occur during cold weather. Although short-term power outages are generally easy to recover from, when they are longer lasting it becomes essential to take certain precautions. A recent article in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal offers some tips for homeowners on how to get through a power outage safely and smoothly.

Safety devices and provisions are one of the most important precautions to take when an extensive power outage is possible. Flashlights should be stored with fresh batteries in a location that is memorable and easily accessible in the dark. The home should be decently stocked with bottled water and nonperishable foods, preferably enough to last at least a few days. A couple of filled gas cans are necessary for most portable generators, and a good idea to have for vehicles if the area's gas pumps are out of commission during the blackout.

Furnaces usually need more power than a small generator can provide. Therefore an alternative heat source should be prepared, whether in the form of a space heater running off a portable generator or a fireplace or woodstove. Otherwise arrangements should be made to stay with someone who does have access to a heating source for the duration of the outage. Furthermore, extra insulation should be affixed to windows and doorframes to help keep out the cold, and the entire family should stay in one room to maximize body heat. Stored barrels of water for washing, cooking, toilets, etc. may be necessary if the home uses well water and a septic system, but those using a municipal water source should be fine.

It's a good idea to keep important physical documents around, along with phone numbers and account information. In a situation where phones and computers will last mere hours before becoming useless, keeping valuable information in a tangible format will ensure it remains accessible. Additionally, extra warm clothing and blankets should be kept around to stay warm both indoors and outdoors if a trek is necessary for some reason. Lastly, entertainment materials are often overlooked yet vital to making it through a blackout with sanity intact.

For those who need to worry about losing data during a power outage, a great option is the Minuteman product line of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). UPSs are typically used to protect hardware such as computers, data centers, telecommunication equipment and other electrical equipment where an unexpected power disruption would cause serious issues. The UPS stores energy in a battery, super-capacitor or flywheel when plugged in that is ready to go instantaneously in the event of an outage, ensuring the hardware has enough time to properly shut down or the backup power source has enough time to start up.