Here you will find some suggestions to help you prepare for sudden blackouts and learn to deal with them.
Food safety
Food in the refrigerator or freezer may be consumed if the blackout is less than 2 hours. During the blackout, keep the refrigerator or freezer doors shut as long as possible to keep the food cold for longer.
If the blackout is longer than two hours, follow these guidelines:
• For the freezer section: if the freezer is half full, it will keep the food in safe conditions for up to 24 hours max. A full freezer will keep food safe during 48 hours. If possible, don’t open the freezer door.
• For the refrigerated section: keep the milk, diary, meat, fish, eggs, sauces and leftovers that might go bad in a container surrounded by ice. Polystyrene coolers are cheap and serve this purpose.
• Use a fast answer digital thermometer to verify your food’s temperature immediately before cooking or eating them. Discard any food with a temperature over 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Drinking water
During a blackout, water purifying systems might not work at all. Safe drinking, cooking or personal hygiene water is bottled, boiled or treated water. Your local or state health department may issue specific recommendations to boil or treat water in your area. You will find some general rules related to drinking, cooking and personal hygiene water below:
Remember:
• Do not use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, wash your hands, make ice or prepare baby formula. If possible, use baby formula that doesn’t require water. An alcohol based disinfectant can be used to wash your hands.
• Use a bleaching solution to rinse containers before reusing them. Use tanks and other water storing containers cautiously. For example, cistern tanks and containers or bottles used before can be contaminated with microorganisms or chemical products. Do not trust methods without proven capacity to decontaminate water.
Heat related disorders and how to prevent them
When a blackout happens during the summer, heat can become a problem. Most disorders happen due to dehydration. Our bodies lose water through sweat, and lost water should be replaced continuously. Youngsters, elderly people, people with chronic diseases and bedridden people are at most risk of suffering heat related disorders.
People working in hot weathers might be at risk when the blackout causes air conditioning loss at their offices, factories or other workplaces.
All heat related deaths can be prevented. People facing high temperatures for prolonged periods are recommended to take the following cautions to prevent heat related disorders or injuries:
• Check those at most risk frequently.
• Drink at least a gallon of water per day.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine since they can dehydrate you.
• Replenish lost salts and minerals with sports beverages or consuming salt tablets.
• Wear light clothes, in light color and sunscreen if you go outdoors.
• Take cold water showers or baths frequently.
If you feel dizzy, weak or very hot, move to a fresh place, sit or lie down, drink water, and wash your face with fresh water. If you do not recover soon, seek urgent medical attention.
Heatstroke is the most serious disorder related to heat and it happens when the body is not able to regulate temperature. When suffering heatstroke, body temperature increases quickly, the sweating system fails and the body is not able to cool down. Body temperature could increase to 106° F or more in 10 to 15 minutes. Heatstroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not sought.
Among heatstroke symptoms, the following are included:
• Red, hot and dry skin (no perspiration).
• Strong and quick pulse.
• Pounding head ache.
• Dizziness, nausea, confusion, or unconsciousness.
• Extremely high body temperature (more than 103°F).
If you suspect that you have suffered heatstroke, follow these instructions:
• Take the person to a shade.
• Reduce the temperature quickly with any method available. For example, immerse the person in a cold water bath; place her under a cold shower; spray her with cold water from a garden hose; apply a sponge with cold water; or if humidity level is low, wrap her in a wet sheet and fan vigorously.
• Observe body temperature and continue your efforts in lowering the temperature until it reaches 101-102° F.
• If the emergency medical staff is delayed, call the emergency room for further instructions.
• Do not provide alcohol. Procure medical attention as soon as possible.
Work safety upon power restore
When the power is restored after a blackout, people in their workplaces could be at risk of electrical shock or trauma as electric current passes through the power lines and the facilities begin working. It is recommended that businessmen and employees are aware of said risks and take protective measures if they are in contact or near power lines, electric components or mobile parts in heavy machinery.
Emergency preparation
It is recommended to prepare an emergency plan which includes a supply pack in case of catastrophe. In said pack enough water should be included, dehydrated and canned food, and emergency supplies (flashlights, batteries, first aid kit, prescription medication and a digital thermometer) for at least three days. Use battery operated flashlights and portable lanterns instead of candles, gas lamps or torches (to reduce the risk of fire).
