A Columbia SC power outage is probably inevitable at some point. Are you prepared?
Over 4 million Americans lost power when violent storms rolled across the mid-Atlantic region on June 29th, knocking down trees and power lines. Power officials worry that the increasingly violent storms may continue to knock down trees and power lines in the future.
Most of us have grown accustomed to occasional power outages, as they frequently occur in the U.S. for short periods during thunderstorms.
In the infamous blackout of August 2003, more than 50 million people in eight states and Canada lost power (completely) for an entire weekend. This massive power outage contributed to the deaths of at least 11 people and cost an estimated $6 billion.
Yet, the most shocking fact about that outage is that the entire grid failure started due to a softened power line that drooped down, brushed against an overgrown tree and shut down – tripping a cascade of failures throughout eight northeastern states and parts of southeast Canada.
Columbia SC Power Outage – What Are Your Options?
If you experience a Columbia SC power outage, there are some steps you should take to keep your family safe.
Make sure the power outage isn’t limited to just your home. If you determine that a fuse or circuit breaker needs replacing, turn off and unplug all large appliances before you replace them. Check with your neighbors to see if they’re without power. You’ll want to call your electrical company to report the power outage.
Sometimes, when electricity is restored, the varying levels of electricity (known as surges) can damage your appliances. The best way to avoid this is to unplug all computers and major appliances, except for your refrigerator and freezer. Wait at least 10 to 15 minutes once power is restored to plug your appliances back in.
It’s essential to keep your freezer and refrigerator doors closed tight to prevent cold air from escaping. As a general rule, you can expect that your food will stay good in a closed, fully-loaded refrigerator for about 6 hours. For a full freezer, your food will stay good for approximately 2 days, if you don’t open it.
Many Americans have purchased portable, standby and electric generators to combat power outages since the blackout of 2003. While these generators vary in size and price, they can provide you with immediate power when everyone else in your neighborhood is relying on power officials to locate and solve an electrical issue.
If you live in America and you don’t own a generator, there’s a a good chance you’ll experience an extended power outage at some point. While a Columbia SC power outage may be inevitable, proper preparation can mean the difference between pandemonium and peace.