Senior to Senior: Prepare for Power Outages

We have all experienced power outages. Other than having to entertain ourselves for a few hours, they usually aren’t a big deal. The other night our power went out. It was only out for a few hours, and it occurred late at night, but being pitched into absolute darkness was alarming. A few hours without the warm glow of our many nightlights brought a lot of “what if’s” to mind. This summer it is quite probable that your household will lose power, possibly for more than a few hours. Seniors need to know how to protect themselves during these times. Wandering around in the dark trying to find a flashlight, or just making your way to the bathroom can be daunting if you have balance or perception issues. Most power outages are over before they impinge on activities of daily living, but some can last for hours, days, or even weeks. Freezing rain, high winds, damaged power lines, cold snaps and heat domes are all probable causes, but the list continues to grow. During a power outage you may be left without heating/air conditioning, lighting, hot water or even running water. You could be without phone service unless you have an alternate charging device. We need to give this a little more thought. Do you have at least two working flashlights or a battery-operated camping lantern in your house? What about a battery-operated radio? Hopefully the answer is yes. Refrain from opening refrigerators or freezers unless necessary. A refrigerator will keep food cold for 4 hours. A full freezer will keep its temperature for 48 hours. Instead, be sure to have a few days’ worth of non-perishable foods and bottled water on hand. Know your medical needs. If you rely on electricity to power medical devices or take medications that need to be refrigerated, you need to know what to do. On a lighter note, have something on hand to do; hardback books and handiwork can keep periods of isolation from driving you crazy. You really can lessen the impact of a power outage by being prepared.