EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR TEXAS POWER OUTAGES

By admin • January 27th, 2009

We are expecting some cold, rainy, foggy weather with some freezing drizzle tonight and tomorrow. We are not accustomed to weather like this in Texas. I used to live in the “North Country” – so, I think that I am uniquely qualified to write an article about “Emergency Preparedness”. In fact, I lived in Duluth, MN for THIRTY-ONE horrid years. It’s very depressing there for about eight months of the year. Several months a year are spent in “white-knuckle driving”. Only someone who has driven many miles in that kind of weather knows what that term really signifies. I have been in several car “rollovers” because of the ice and snow and have nary a scratch on me to show for it. Of course, the mental torment that I’ve been through is a different matter entirely. You never really recover.

Minnesotans also know how to stay safe inside our homes and I’ll share that info with you. Many home-heating systems depend on electrical power to operate the furnace, air circulation and thermostat controls. A winter power failure and resulting heat loss can damage homes and create difficult living conditions. Here are some things you can do if you suffer the problems of a power failure:

Stuff To Do In Case of a Power Failure

The first thing to do is to notify the electric company (the number is on your billing statement). Many people make the mistake of assuming that “somebody else” has notified them because of a Texas power outage. Maybe somebody else has and maybe they haven’t — the electric company has no way of knowing exactly how much power is out until they are notified. So, be one of the first to call the electric company. They’ll appreciate your effort. (They are always very polite when I call – I call it “Job Security”.)

Turn off all electrical appliances.

Turn on a battery powered radio for information. They have these neat-o hand cranking ones. Put the kids to work. They need something to do anyway.

Don’t panic. When doors and windows are kept closed, houses remain bearably warm for several hours.

Conserve fuel by warming only one room and keeping temperatures low but bearable. Wear heavy clothing.

Switch to emergency heating equipment before the house gets too cold.

Check plumbing to ensure that water pipes are not freezing up.

Keep on Hand:

Emergency supply of foods that require no preparation.

Flashlights and a battery-powered radio with fresh batteries.

Anti-freeze to protect plumbing.

A fully-charged fire extinguisher.

UL-approved emergency heating equipment. I really, really like the electric heaters with the quartz bulb in it, with a fan inside. (I own several “Eden Pure” heaters.) http://www.edenpurestore.com . It is impossible to start a fire with it. Those regular electric heaters are very dangerous. Don’t use them. A couple of years ago, I had one at my place of business and the Fire Marshal made me get rid of it. (Boy! Was I in trouble.)

Also, DO NOT store fuel in the house.
Candles or lanterns to provide light.

When Power Returns:

Turn off emergency heating equipment.
Turn on the main water valve, closing taps on the lowest level of the house first.
Let the water heater fill up before turning it on.
Warm the house to a temperature slightly above normal for a few hours to dry it out.
Flush the toilets, and drain sinks and tubs to dispose of anti-freeze.
Check food supplies for spoilage — food kept in the freezer will remain frozen for 24 to 48 hours after a power failure if the freezer door remains closed.
Turn on the main electrical switch.

*They say if the one of your pipes freeze to go along the length of the pipes with a wet rag. When you see frost forming on the pipe, that is the one that you need to thaw out. It’s pretty easy to tell, actually. When you find out which one it is, use a Blow Dryer on hot to thaw it. Do not go all “Cave-Man” and use a blow torch. It’s just not worth the risk.

Please post a Comment if you can think of other ways to keep your family and your home safe and ready for “fishing weather”.

Posted by Marey http://cheaptexaselectricrates.com

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