When the power goes out in an apartment, it can be a scary situation. Not only does it mean you have to wait in the dark, but it also means losing your internet, food and electricity.
Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do when the lights go out that will help your experience be a little less stressful. Here are some of the steps to take when the power goes out in your apartment:
1. Call Your Electric Company
When the power goes out in your apartment, you have a few options. First, you can call your electric company to report the outage.
Next, you can contact your landlord or building management to find out what steps are in place to address the issue. They should be able to tell you if the outage is limited to your apartment or if it is affecting neighboring apartments.
You should also check your breaker box to see if it is in working order. If it is, you should be able to plug in your phone and computer.
If you are not sure where the breaker box is, ask your landlord or building manager to show you. If they can’t, you should look around your neighborhood to see if other buildings have lost power. If you can’t see any lights in other buildings, this may be a bigger problem and should be addressed as soon as possible.
Your electric company should also give you information about how to handle an outage if it is caused by severe weather. They will have news releases, social media and a storm information page that can keep you informed about the situation in your area.
Another option is to check your local TV or radio station for updates about the outage. They will have information about what is being done and how long it will take to get the power back on.
It is important to remember that you should not use appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners during an outage. These are likely to blow out if they are not properly insulated and it is also dangerous to leave perishable food in them while the power is out.
In addition to that, you should have candles, matches and a battery-operated radio on hand. It is also a good idea to have an emergency power pack that can be charged in advance and used to charge your phone, laptop and a few other electronic devices.
Lastly, you should have plenty of water in your home. If the power is out for a while, you can use this to drink and wash your hands.
2. Call Your Landlord
It’s a good idea to have your landlord’s contact information in case there’s a problem with the power. That way, you can call them as soon as it happens, and they can help you find a solution.
It’s also a good idea to check with your neighbors to see if they’re experiencing a power outage as well, because that could mean there is a bigger issue that needs to be addressed. In that case, you’ll need to call the electric company or building management.
A good start when the lights go out is to check your circuit breaker and fuse box to make sure it isn’t in danger of tripping and causing a larger problem. Most apartment complexes have a separate breaker box inside each unit, so it should be easy to locate.
If you’re not sure where it is, ask a friend or a maintenance person to show you. Once you know where it is, you can take a look at the switch to see if it’s tripped or not.
The breaker should be orange if the switch is tripped, so you’ll want to flip it to turn it back on. If it isn’t, there might be a problem with your wiring or a break in your apartment’s current electrical system that you need to fix.
You can also try calling the power company to find out if they’re aware of the problem and have any tips on how to fix it. If they are, they can send out crews to repair the problem and get the power turned back on.
When the power comes back on, you’ll need to check your food and drink to ensure they are still cold or fresh. You can even keep them in the refrigerator for a while to preserve their freshness, but be careful to discard any food that has spoiled.
Finally, remember to charge up your phone and laptop as much as possible during a power outage. That way, you can still stay connected to the outside world and monitor news and make calls, if your cell service isn’t affected.
3. Call Your Building Management
If the power goes out in your apartment, it’s important to know who to call. If you can’t reach your landlord, check with the building management and see if they can help.
If it’s an emergency, let them know so they can get the authorities involved and start making arrangements to bring power back on. This is especially important if you have children or a disabled person in your apartment.
It’s also good to let them know how long the outage will last so they can prepare accordingly. This will ensure you have enough food and water on hand in case the power does not come back on quickly.
Another thing to think about is the temperature of your apartment. If it’s too hot, you should try to keep the air cool by closing your windows or limiting the amount of sunlight entering your apartment.
You can also use candles if you have plenty of them, but don’t leave them lit when you’re not in the room. This could cause a fire in your apartment if pets or children knock them over.
Finally, make sure you have an emergency power pack and some battery-powered flashlights or lanterns on hand in case the electrical supply fails. These are a lot safer than using candles and can provide much needed light if the power goes out.
In addition, you should always have a fully charged phone and laptop on hand so that you can stay connected to the outside world while the outage is underway. You can even buy a portable generator to use to run small appliances such as lamps or a mini-fridge.
Your landlord may be responsible for supplying you with emergency supplies if the power is out. In some cases, this can include things like bottled water or non-perishable food.
The bottom line is that the responsibility for preparing for and responding to emergencies falls on the property manager’s shoulders, so it’s important that you have an effective communication system in place with them. Otherwise, it can be frustrating and difficult to get the help you need in a timely manner.
4. Call Your Neighbors
When the power goes out in your apartment, the first thing you want to do is get some light. You can do this by lighting a few candles, using a flashlight and even plugging in a battery-operated radio or portable fan.
It’s also a good idea to make sure your cell phone and laptop are juiced up if possible, so you can check in on social media or check out local news and weather updates. You should also be smart about the batteries in your flashlights and lanterns so you can save them for when the power is back on.
Getting a power outage in your apartment can be a stressful and potentially dangerous situation, but it can be handled if you’re prepared. Following these tips will help you keep your cool and avoid a costly jack-of-all-trades mishap in the future. If you’re unsure of how to handle your power outage, contact SelectCare for assistance. Our dedicated team of RNs and licensed nurses are ready to help you navigate the power outage maze and more. Call today to learn more about our superior in-home health care services! The best way to find out if we can help you is to call our office or request a free in-home care guide.