1. Common Reasons For Power Outages And What To Do
Power outages occur when the electrical network is unable to provide electricity to its users, or when the electrical grid is unavailable. There are different types of power outages and many reasons for them. Bad weather conditions are the number one cause of energy utility outages in Pennsylvania and other US states.
Blackouts – Blackouts happen when there is a complete crush on the power grid. They cause total loss of electricity to the entire neighborhoods or areas. Blackouts can be caused by wind storms, lightning strikes, and other weather conditions.
As they can last for several days or even weeks you need to be prepared. Make sure you have enough water and food. Obtain enough candles and flashlights and fully charge your smartphone battery in advance.
Brownouts – If there is a brownout it means that there is a drop of voltage in the electric power supply. Although they don’t cause a complete loss of electricity they can damage your appliances. Take care of your electrical devices in order to get through a brownout safely.
For instance, limit the usage of big energy consumers, such as your cooling or heating systems. It is also a good idea not to use all the appliances in the house. During the brownout use only those that are highly necessary.
Planned rolling blackouts – These are planned systematic outages. Utility companies in Pennsylvania use them to prevent longer blackouts. In case of planned rolling blackouts find out how long they will last, to be well-prepared.
It is very useful to turn off and unplug your appliances and avoid any damage. Do not open your refrigerator door during blackouts. If you have a generator and need to use it, always do it outdoors and make sure you are away from windows and other glass surfaces.
2. Power Outage Tricks And Tips
Power outages can be a real pain and cause a lot of difficulties. However, there is always something you can do to make these frustrating situations easier.
Contact your electricity supplier
Power outages can be planned or can happen unexpectedly. Whatever the case, your utility supplier company has to have information about it. So, one of the useful things you should do in the case of a power outage in Pennsylvania is to contact your Duquesne electricity supplier or other local utility.
Try to find out how long the outage will last. You can also ask for any additional information you need regarding the outage or your electricity bill for the current month.
Provide water supplies
Water is one of the essential needs. When there is an emergency situation, such as a power outage you need to have enough water for everyone in your household. Make sure each person has at least one gallon of water per day.
Take care of food
Make sure your food supplies are enough for at least three days. Yet, your refrigerator will keep the food cold for about four hours. Keep the door closed to avoid the temperature change inside.
This means that you need to have enough non-perishable food around. So, make sure you have enough canned and dry food.
Final thoughts
You never know when a power outage may occur. This is why it is important to have some basic information. Hopefully, these tips and tricks can help you handle these irritating situations.
