Are you prepared for a blackout? It is true that european countries been so far able to fill up gas storage facilities more than initially assumed. But the energy supply for the winter is far from secured. Experts see a number of factors that could bring power grid down – for example bad weather, which means that too little solar or wind power can be generated, gas-fired power plants that are not supplied with sufficient fuel or excessive heating with electricity. So what if there are actual power outages in winter? In this guide, you will learn how you can be best prepared in this case.
The event of a power outage
A power failure or – in the worst case – a regional or national blackout can have many causes and occur faster than desired. This can be caused by a defective fuse or a fault in the distribution system, or the entire power grid collapses, for example due to an environmental disaster or permanent overload. Against this background, it is advisable to be prepared for emergencies.Injuries are a regular occurrence as a result of power failures, whether they are directly or indirectly related to them. So that you can at least treat minor to medium-sized injuries, you should make sure you have a first-aid kit in the house. The SNG 3001155 from SÖHNGEN® is primarily intended for companies, but can also be used in private households. The advantage of this case is that it can be kept for 20 years in the original packaging. So you are perfectly equipped for emergencies in the long term.
In the event of a total blackout, it cannot be ruled out that the telephone network will also fail. Even in the event of a prolonged power outage, cell phones are not equipped with infinite battery charging time. The STABO 20700 have a maximum range of ten kilometers. This allows you to communicate over long distances and get in touch with the outside world. However, you have to make sure that the radios have a battery. This should be loaded for emergencies. Therefore, check the battery level of the devices regularly. In order to be able to prepare your emergency rations properly, you also need to be able to cook. Few households are equipped with a wood-burning stove or combination stove and oven these days, so apart from a grill, eating over an open fire is often not an option. The CFH 52402 is infinitely adjustable and particularly economical in use. A butane gas cartridge supplies the cartridge stove with fuel for two hours. This allows you to prepare multiple meals. Furthermore, you can get by with one cartridge for several days with one warm meal per day.To be on the safe side, you should also have enough batteries in the house to power devices such as flashlights or radios. The GP AL44 PACK from Alkaline consists of a total of 44 batteries – 32 mignon (AA) and 12 micro batteries (AAA), so you are well prepared for all eventualities.
How to brighten up your surroundings
Particularly powerful LED flashlights such as the LED TL 1500 are suitable as a universal light source in the event of a power failure. With a burn time of up to four hours at 100% luminosity and up to 15 hours in energy-saving mode, you will certainly not be sitting in the dark that easily. You even have the choice of light intensity: the focus can be infinitely adjusted from a precisely illuminated point to a focal length of two football pitches.But even if you don’t have batteries, you don’t have to stand in the dark. With the dynamo-powered VARTA Dynamo Light LED17680 Bli, you can rely entirely on mechanics when it comes to lighting. A crank dynamo keeps this LED flashlight burning and you are independent of batteries. One minute of cranking provides 30 minutes of light. Especially in combination with the LED TL 1500, you can get through a power failure in a resource-saving manner for a longer period of time.
Often, however, you need both hands to work in the dark – be it to replace blown fuses or, in the event of a blackout, to cook. If you don’t want to be dependent on someone holding the flashlight in such a case, a headlamp is recommended. You will find a wide selection in the reichelt online shop.
How to stay connected to the outside world
In the event of a national blackout in particular, it is essential that as many radio frequencies as possible are kept free for the rescue services. This can also affect radio reception on FM and AM. In order to be up to date with the latest developments, it is advisable to have a digital radio with DAB+ in the house. The RXN TRA560DAB camping radio not only has an integrated battery that you can operate via USB, a hand crank or solar power. In addition, it is also possible to operate the radio with four micro batteries (AAA). So you are always well informed about the current events. As already mentioned, there are also devices in the household that are operated with a battery and whose functionality can be essential in some cases. In such cases, a power bank, which is previously charged via the mains, is often used on a camping holiday. However, since a longer-lasting power failure or blackout usually comes unforeseen, it is possible that your own power bank is not charged. With the XORA, however, you are independent of electricity. The USB power bank with a capacity of 20,000 mAh has a built-in solar panel that charges the bank when there is sufficient light. The current charge level is displayed via five LEDs. The power bank is splash-proof and also offers maximum security through overcharging, overvoltage and short-circuit protection.Power stations like the Power generator (battery) from EcoFlow resemble small power stations. With a capacity of 210Wh and a pure 300W sine wave, you can power up to five devices simultaneously. Thanks to the built-in solar module, you are also independent of the power grid with the RIVER mini.
Ensure safety – with survival utensils
Many household appliances are powered by electricity these days. Sometimes – in particularly tough cases of a power outage – it may also be necessary to have a few tools on hand in a survival kit. The SIN 207769 is the set for all cases. This includes, among other things, a flashlight and a tactical pen with a ballpoint pen and a tungsten tip for breaking glass. The integrated fire starter can also help to ignite the CFH 52402 cartridge cooker.If you have a stove at home, you can light a fire in it in winter to avoid freezing during a blackout. In such cases it is helpful to have a universal ax like the FISKARS X10-S at hand and to be able to chop wood.
Conclusion
Be it a power outage that only affects one household or a national blackout: Every household should make provisions for emergencies and have the most important utensils to hand in case of an emergency. With the right gear and appropriate emergency supply rations, you can last for days without exhausting your resources.
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