What to do in a blackout…

1. What to do in a blackout… By El, Tyler and Tolu

2. Blackout causes • One of the main reasons there will be a blackout is because of snow. • Thunder/lightning storms • Winter storms and heavy snow • Trees planted too close to power lines • Huge storms eg Super storm SANDY • Animals to close to the lines • Vehicles running into poles • Some outages caused by unknown reasons

3. How blackouts starts There are many causes of power failures in an electricity network. Examples of these causes include faults at power stations, damage to electric communication lines, substations or other parts of the supply system, a short circuit, or the overloading of electricity mains. Power failures are particularly serious and dangerous at places where the environment and public safety are at risk. Organisations such as hospitals, sewage treatment plants, mines, and the like will usually have backup power sources such as replacement generators, which will automatically start up when electrical power is lost. Other critical systems, such as telecommunications, are also required to have emergency power. Telephone exchange rooms usually have groups of lead-acid batteries` for backup and also a socket for connecting a generator during extended periods of outage.

4. What to do during a blackout? Food safety If the power is out for less than 4 hours, then the food in your refrigerator and freezer will be safe to consume. While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold for longer. • If the power is out for longer than 4 hours, follow the guidelines below: • For the Freezer section: A freezer that is half full will hold food safely for up to 24 hours. A full freezer will hold food safely for 48 hours. Do not open the freezer door if you can avoid it. • For the Refrigerated section: Pack milk, other dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, gravy, and spoilable leftovers into a cooler surrounded by ice. Inexpensive Styrofoam coolers are fine for this purpose. • Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of your food right before you cook or eat it. Throw away any food that has a temperature of more than 40°F/4°C.

5. What to do during a blackout? continued Drink safety When power goes out, water purification systems may not be working fully. Safe water for drinking, cooking (ECT.) includes bottled, boiled, or treated water. Your public, local, or tribal health department can make exact recommendations for boiling or treating water in your area. Here are some general rules concerning water for drinking, cooking(etc.). Remember: • Do not use dirty water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, wash your hands, make ice, . • If you use bottled water, be sure it came from a safe source. If you do not know that the water came from a safe source, you should boil or treat it before you use it. Use only bottled, boiled, or treated water until your supply is tested and found safe. • Boiling water, when practical, is the preferred way to kill harmful bacteria and parasites. Bringing water to a rolling boil for 1 minute will kill most organisms.

6. The affects of blackouts • A couple years ago a blackout wouldn’t really affect us but since our generation has grown we have become more successful in technology and our lives are basically based with technology which seems the easier then DIYs( do it yourself) this means no heating which could lead to hypothermia also this means no safe drinking water and getting dehydrated doesn’t help in a situation like this. Sinks , toilets and showers will not function due to of lack of public water pressure. No gas stations and no trains so you’re transportation is limited. Also it and you will not be able to cook food or refrigerate.

7. What to do when preparing for a blackout • Follow energy conservation measures to keep the use of electricity as low as possible, which can help power companies avoid imposing rolling blackouts. • Fill plastic containers with water and place them in the refrigerator and freezer if there's room. Leave about an inch of space inside each one, because water expands as it freezes. This chilled or frozen water will help keep food cold during a temporary power outage, by displacing air that can warm up quickly with water or ice that keeps cold for several hours without additional refrigeration. • Be aware that most medication that requires cooling can be kept in a closed refrigerator for several hours without a problem. If unsure, check with your medical doctor or chemist. • Keep your car tank at least half full because gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.

8. How to keep in contact with people during a blackout • When the power goes out during a storm, we rely more on our cell phones and smart phones to stay in touch with emergency responders, neighbours and relatives. Unfortunately, without a backup charging system, moveable phones and mobile devices can be useless just when we need them the most. • A basic cell phone may last 4 – 5 days on a charge if used conservatively. Smart phones and tablets are mini-computers and need daily charging. If you live in an area of everyday power outages, keeping a simple pay-as-you-go cell phone for emergencies may be the simplest way to confirm communication through the cell phone. And having a phone with removable batteries and a supply of extra batteries charged beforehand is simple and reliable.