Not just surviving, but living comfortably through a power outage.
2 min readMay 21, 2024
- Keep a flashlight and extra batteries handy. Take your flashlight with you when you move from one area of your home to another. Don’t go hunting in the dark for your flashlight!
- Get a battery powered lantern. These are great to have around when you need your hands for something else. Turn it on and leave it in the bedroom while you sleep.
- Do you own a medical alert pendant? Put it on or keep it with you at all times. You will have it handy if you need help.
- Where do you leave your walker when you sleep? If not beside your bed, put it beside your bed in a power outage situation.
- Where are all your personal care supplies — hearing aids, medication, depends, wipes, hand sanitizer, catheter bag, colostomy bag, blood sugar testing kit, blood pressure machine? Are they scattered in different areas. Bring some together and keep in one place. Enough for a few days. It will make your time during a power outage so much easier.
- Call a store, clinic, or other location and make sure they are open before going there. Don’t drive unless you have to.
- Traffic lights will be off. If you have to drive, plan for extra time and drive carefully.
- Have non-perishable food at home. Things that will not need to be refrigerated or heated. Like bread, canned food, peanut butter. It may be difficult to light a stove and cook.
- If you have a cell phone, keep it on a charger while you have power. If power goes out, keep your cell phone near you at all times.
- Are you dependent on electric powered life sustaining equipment? Have backup — small oxygen tanks, small battery packs, extra batteries.
- Turn off all appliances, light switches and equipment when the power goes out. When the power comes back on, it will not cause a surge or overload.
- Keep one light turned on, so you’ll know when the power is back.
- And last, but equally important. Know who you will call if you need help. A neighbor, friend, family — someone who will be able to help or assist you, should you need it. Talk to them before hand and know that they are willing and available.
- If all else fails, don’t be shy about calling 911. In my 13 years of experience, I have always seen paramedics show compassion, kindness, and eagerness to help the elderly.
