Summertime is the season for road trips, outdoor games and water balloon wars. Unfortunately, it is also the season for some of the more devastating natural disasters.
Hurricanes, tornados and wildfires are common this time of year in different parts of the country. In addition to having plans for food, water and shelter, it’s important to build an emergency power supply. Although it’s usually possible to survive without it, having backup power during an emergency can greatly improve your mobility and communication abilities—not to mention the quality of your diet.
Believe it or not, you may already have the beginnings of an emergency power supply. Check out the following three solutions that might be sitting around at your house.
- A propane grill. If you have a propane grill sitting on your back patio, don’t let it rust! It can become a vital power source if the electricity goes out. For this reason, it’s always good to make sure everything is always in working order and your propane tank is at least halfway full. When the power does go out, be sure to cook outside and learn to tolerate the heat (or cold!). You do not want to bring the grill inside, as carbon monoxide fumes will build up quickly.
- A carful of gas. Gas prices are high, but be sure your car has at least a quarter tank of fuel at all times. Pushing the mpg might be a fun challenge, but it could be detrimental in an emergency situation. A full tank of gas means you will be headed out of town while others are having to stop in long lines hoping to fuel up before the tornado rolls through or flames catch up to them. The experts say it’s it’s better for your car anyway.
- A carful of gas…again. A full tank of gas can mean even more than a clean getaway. It can also mean an excellent source of electricity. All it takes is an inexpensive power inverter plugged into the cigarette lighter, and you can power lights, radio and computers or charge a cell phone. And in the winter, that power inverter could be just enough power to run the fan on your furnace, keeping you and your family warm and toasty. Be sure to check watt capacity to avoid overloading your inverter.
For other ideas to keep you and your family prepared for any disaster, be it natural or man-made, check out www.survivalbased.com. We offer top of the line in survival gear, additional tips and topics and the ability to connect with a large community of emergency preppers just like you.