According to this 2018 article from the US Energy Information Administration the average annual power disruption in America is six hours. The shortest annual state averages were held by South Dakota, North Dakota, The District of Columbia, Oregon and Colorado which all fell under two hours per year. Contrast that with the five longest timed states: Maine, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Vermont, and North Carolina which range from twelve to twenty-nine hours without electricity each year.
While many of the power interruptions are minor, a blackout is never convenient. Businessinsider.com columnist Taylor Dorrell related a story in his article “Get ready: More blackouts are coming” of Columbus, Ohio resident Scott Gann having to deal with triple-digit summer heat without an air conditioner. His home had an air conditioner, it just didn’t have power. The intense demand for energy is taxing the electrical grid and leaving residents without power without any ability to cool themselves.
One of the first things you should check if you find yourself in a power outage situation is how long the power outage is going to last. This can help you decide what sort of actions you might want to take, including finding another location to stay until the outage is over. If you have a phone with a data plan there’s a good chance it is functioning during a power outage, and you can use it to check with your utility provider to see if they can provide an estimate of how long the power will be out. I know this isn’t likely to be completely consistent across the country, but my provider will usually have an update on their web site within half an hour of a reported power outage (you can also report a power outage online) that will give some information, usually a time estimate, that helps you understand how significant an outage to expect.
There are several things to consider when trying to decide what to have on hand when there is a short-term power outage. Many people find it sweltering to sleep in a home without air conditioning in the summer. Heat is the number one cause of weather related fatalities in the United States. You’ll need to find ways to keep cool.
- A slightly damp top-sheet can be a comfortable way to reduce temperatures in the heat.
- Water is your best friend. Having at least a few gallons of water on hand at any time can be critical to riding out a blackout. Especially if your water is dependent on a well pump. This can include city water for cities who use a water pump system to supply the city. There will be water initially, but over time that water may also run out, but that is more likely in a longer scenario.
- If you have a well that relies on power then make sure you have a supply of water to keep you and your bedding cool and your body hydrated. You can keep a few containers under your bathroom sink or even a few bottles of water on the floor of your closet. Maybe even a bit more to use to flush the toilet.
- Keep Cool:
- Sitting in a cool tub can lower your body temperature quickly. It doesn’t have to be deep. The whole family can be there – if you’ve got kids they can wear their swimsuits and have a little swim party in the tub to keep cool.
- Spray bottle. Keeping a fine mist of water on you will help keep you cool.
- Sleep with Wet Hair.
- Sleep in the basement if you’ve got one.
- Wet bandana on the neck. Anything to keep your core temperature comfortable.
- Sleep on the floor. Hot air rises. The lower to the floor the cooler the air.
- Keep Hydrated. If your home’s climate control isn’t working you shouldn’t shut down your personal climate control. Keep hydrated. Include a bit of sugar, salt and vitamins if you are overheated for extended periods of time.
- Battery Powered fans. The Makita Battery fan works at our house, because we already have the batteries constantly charging for our other power tools. Everyone in the home can get a little damp and enjoy the moisture wicking breeze of a little air motion. If you have different needs be sure to look up the many different battery-operated fan styles available. (There are also different brands of fan that will operate on battery systems from other companies).
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If the emergency response system is overwhelmed, talk to a neighbor. Seek help if you feel you need it.
A study done by Brian Stone Jr and several colleagues and published in Environmental Science and Technology journal focused on the potential dangers to people if the power were to go out in major cities while those cities were experiencing hot temperatures. The study’s information on Phoenix stated that, at least, fifty-percent of the city’s 800,000 residents would get a heat-related illness with at least 12,500 people dying from those issues. With the city’s hospital bed maxing out at 3000, people would be on their own to take care of their heat related issues. While Phoenix is known for its hot temperatures and limited access to water the study encompassed other major cities as well.
Planning ahead may be the difference between comfort and chaos, but more importantly, it could be the difference between life and death. Remember, learn to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion, heavy sweating, increased pulse, dizziness, headache, cramps, and potentially fainting, and find a cooler location (if it’s available) like libraries, malls, or community centers,