How did our species ever survive without electricity? It’s a good question to consider whenever your electrical power goes out. Many things can happen to cause power outages, from natural disasters to human error. If you experience an electrical outage that lasts longer than a half hour, it’s good to contact your supplier or electrical company like a Thomas Edison Electric Inc. Electrician by mobile phone.
Cooking Safety
Although your stove, microwave and toaster oven no longer work, you may be tempted to barbeque indoors, especially in cold weather. Resist the temptation. Grilling indoors is a huge fire hazard. If you are using a portable generator to cook, keep the generator outside. Generators emit potentially deadly carbon monoxide gas. If your home is prone to blackouts during bad weather, stock up on foods that do not need to be cooked or refrigerated, like peanut butter, granola bars and bread.
Avoid Gasoline Siphoning
During long spells of blackouts, it can be tempting to siphon gas out of your car in order or another person’s vehicle in order to work your generator or other gas-powered equipment. Siphoning gas requires you to suck on a tube to draw up the gas into a container. Swallowing gas can get you very sick or even kill you. Even brief contact with gasoline can burn your skin, mucus membranes or the insides of your mouth.
Downed Power Lines
If you see a downed power line, do not approach it. Stay away and call your electrical provider or professionals like a Thomas Edison Electric Inc. Electrician. If the power line is on your car, do not even touch your car or you may be electrocuted.
What About Your Water?
Many public water processing plants depend on electricity. If the electricity in your area has gone out, chances are that it has also gone out for your local water processing plant. If more than one day goes by without power, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that you contact your water supplier or local authorities to find out if the water is still safe to drink.
If you experience an electrical outage that lasts longer than a half hour, it’s good to contact your supplier or electrical company like a Thomas Edison Electric Inc. Electrician by mobile phone.