3 Things to Avoid During a Power Outage

Power outages are no fun and, unfortunately, there's no way around them. A short outage may just be a minor frustration but having to spend hours or even days without power can be a bigger challenge. Fortunately, there are plenty of smart steps you can take to get through an outage as smoothly as possible. Check out these three important things to avoid during an extended power outage.

1. Don't Open the Fridge

Depending on the length of an outage, the food in your fridge and freezer might make it through just fine--as long as you leave the doors closed. Resist the temptation to check on your fridge's contents and try to eat from your pantry during the outage. Check the temperature inside your fridge after the power returns, and discard food if it's been at 40 degrees or higher for over two hours.

2. Be Smart With Your Smartphone

Yes, your smartphone is a tempting source of digital entertainment while the Internet is down. But draining your battery by scrolling social media or streaming videos could leave your phone dead when you truly need it. For safety's sake, use your phone sparingly and avoid wasting battery life. May we suggest reading a book by flashlight instead?

3. Don't Be Scared, Be Prepared

The most important thing to avoid in a power outage is being caught off guard without the right supplies. Make sure you have some essentials on hand, including flashlights (with extra batteries), shelf-stable food that doesn't require cooking, a supply of drinking water, and anything else you think you might need in an outage. Store your outage kit somewhere easily accessible and make sure everyone in your household knows where it is.

Power outages caused by severe weather, downed trees, or utility work are beyond your control, but there's one major cause of outages that you can prevent: damage caused by wildlife. At Critter Guard, our Line Guard and Pole Guard products prevent squirrels and other critters from accessing electrical equipment and causing power outages. To learn more about how our products can protect your home and area from frustrating power outages, contact us today!