As a responsible homeowner, it is important to be prepared for unexpected emergency situations, and one of the most common types of these situations is power outages. If a power outage is the result of aHonda Portable Generatordamaging storm, there is always the possibility that you could be without electricity in your home for days, or even weeks. For years, Soby One Home Services has been taking care of the electrical needs of homeowners across the Cape Cod region, and you can count on our insured and trained MA Master and Journeyman Electricians to help you through an extended power outage. According to the US Department of Homeland Security, homeowners can protect themselves during power outages by being as prepared as possible, and we would like to share some of their tips with you. We would also like to tell you exactly what Soby One Home Services can do to help you and your family make it through an extended power outage.

How do I prepare for a power outage in my home?

The very first thing that homeowners need to do to prepare for extended power outages is to make a list of the essential items in your home that run on electricity. Once you have taken inventory of the most important electronic devices upon which you and your family rely, you can make a plan for batteries and other sources of alternative power. If you or another member of your household depends on a medical device that is powered by electricity and/or takes a medication that needs refrigeration, you will need to ask your medical provider about a power outage plan for your device and medication. You should know for how long the medication can be stored safely at higher temperatures, and your medical provider can give you specific guidance regarding the medication. Other battery needs during an emergency typically include smoke and carbon monoxide detector alarms and flashlights. It is recommended to always have enough non-perishable food and water on hand, along with extra batteries, to help you make it through a power outage. If you know that a strong storm is headed your way, make sure that all of the vehicles in your household have full gas tanks and that all mobile phones and other devices are completely charged.

What should I do during the outage to stay safe?

One of the most important things to remember whenever the power goes out is to keep refrigerators and freezers closed as your fridge can keep its contents cold for an average of four hours after losing power. The US Department of Homeland Security recommends always keeping your freezer stocked full as it can keep its temperature for up to 48 hours. You should also have a couple of coolers on hand to store refrigerated and frozen food on ice in case the power stays off for longer than a day or two. Remember that you should always throw out any food that has been exposed to temperatures higher than 40 degrees for two hours or longer. During a power outage, it is a good idea to check on your neighbors, especially if they are elderly or have very young children because both of these age groups can be particularly vulnerable to extreme temperatures. One other important thing to remember whenever the power goes out is to immediately turn off or unplug electronic appliances and devices because when the power does return, momentary surges or spikes can occur that may damage these items.

How can Soby One Home Services help me during an extended power outage?

Although we do not have the power of controlling the weather, unfortunately, you can definitely count on our MA licensed Master and Journeyman Electricians to assist you in weathering storm-related power outages with a high-quality emergency power generator. We are proud to carry a large inventory of home and small business generators in various sizes and power capabilities from one of the most trusted companies in the industry, Kohler. Powerful yet discreet, a Kohler generator can run on either natural gas or propane to quickly provide your entire house with emergency power during an extended outage. One of the features we love best about Kohler generators is the ability to monitor your home’s power situation from anywhere in the world. Cape Cod is a popular spot for vacation homes, and we have seen firsthand how grateful our customers are to have the peace of mind knowing that they do not have to worry about pipes freezing and bursting during a power outage. Not everyone needs a high-powered generator, and if you would rather just keep your most essential items, like your heat, refrigerator, and freezer, going, we also have portable emergency generators from other well-known brands like Honda. No matter what your budget and home situation may be, we can take care of your emergency power needs.

Make sure you and your family are best prepared to handle extended emergency power outages this winter. Contact us today at Soby One Home Services to talk about emergency power or portable power for your house. Our MA Master and Journeyman Electricians are here for any and all of your professional home electrical needs.