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The temperature's rising and summer is just around the corner. That means the risk of power outages is increasing.
Staying cool on a hot day requires a lot of extra electricity. The last thing you want during the summer is to be without electricity as a result of a power outage. In the summer of 2003, the Midwest and the Northeast experienced an electrical power blackout that left an estimated 50 million people in the dark for days.
"Summer's hot, humid days can create the year's highest electric demands, which easily causes power outages," said national home improvement expert Lou Manfredini. "Homeowners must be prepared in the event of blackouts not only because of the inconvenience that may ensue but for the potential hazards that could arise."
Stay out of the dark by following these tips to prepare for a blackout:
* Keep flashlights, fresh batteries, battery-powered radios and clocks easily accessible.
* Have at least 1 gallon of water and a few days' supply of food available.
* Protect your appliances and electronic equipment by investing in an automatic home standby generator. It can power up to 12 circuits in the home within 30 seconds of power loss, and operates on propane or natural gas. Carrier Corp. offers an automatic unit with quiet operation at about half the cost of what such generators were just a few years ago.
* Ensure your car fuel tank is half full. Gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.
* Keep a list of emergency telephone numbers on hand, including the number of your local electric company to report power outages. - NU
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