WHEN THE POWER GOES OUT

On 20 April 2023, the small Western Australian town of Exmouth was plunged into darkness during a rare total solar eclipse as the moon covered the sun for the 62-second event at 11.29am. But blackouts or power outages can happen in our homes due to power outages, power grid overloads, equipment failure, extreme weather events and even human error. In honour of the 2023 solar eclipse blackout, we share our top ten tips of what to do if the electricity goes off in your home and you don’t have an electrician in the house.

ELECTRICIAN’S TIPS IN A BLACKOUT

1. Stay calm. Don’t panic and try to remain calm. Blackouts may last only a few minutes or several hours.

2. Check the power. See if other houses and streetlights have lost power. Check your fuse box or circuit break if your neighbours’ power is still on. If the problem is not at your end, contact your energy provider or electricity company.

3. Use flashlights. Instead of using candles, use battery-powered flashlights or headlamps as they are much safer and efficient.

4. Keep your refrigerator closed. Avoid opening your refrigerator or freezer during a blackout, as the cold air inside will last much longer if you keep the doors closed.

5. Stay warm. If it’s cold outside, layer your clothing and use blankets to keep warm. Close the doors to areas you’re not using to keep the heat centralised in the areas you’re using.

6. Stay hydrated. Keep drinking water even if the power is out. You should store some drinking water in a safe place for emergencies.

7. Switch off non-essential devices. Turn off all non-essential devices such as TVs, appliances, and electronics to conserve battery power.

8. Stay informed. Listen to battery-operated radio or follow your local energy provider on social media to get updates on the blackout and its duration.

9. Use caution when using generators. If you have a generator, be sure to run it outside,  as generators can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

10. Prepare for future outages. Be prepared for future blackouts by stocking up on batteries, flashlights, and other emergency supplies.

Our team at Advanced Electrical Air Conditioning are experts in developing solutions to meet your needs. As qualified electricians, we can install new systems, repair units and and ensure your electrical and air conditioning needs are met.

Contact us today or call us on 02 9834 4140 Monday – Sunday, 8am – 8pm.

Image Credit: 9 news