Wow! June 20th will be the first day of summer, and as usual, my mother was right—time does go faster as we age. It feels like only yesterday that I was carrying firewood and emptying ashes, winterizing the house, lawn, and garden. Now, I’m planning vacations, backyard cookouts, and summer projects like cleaning and staining the decks, painting window and door trim, mowing the lawn, and trimming the bushes and trees. I do love the good, outdoor work, even if I do complain about the heat.
With the warmer weather comes an increase in extreme weather. Often, if we lose power, we’re fortunate enough to have it restored within a few hours. On the rare occasion that it takes longer to get everything running again, everyone should build a storm preparedness kit. Preparing for a power outage is simple but vitally important. Stock up on plenty of bottled water, shelf-stable food, flashlights, batteries, a radio, etc. If you’re relying on canned food, be sure to include an old-fashioned hand-powered can opener. Remember to keep your fridge and freezer closed as much as possible.
I like to ensure that everything I’ve earmarked for a power outage is stored in a large, waterproof container. Doing this ensures that everything stays dry and easily found if you’re stumbling around in the dark.
If you have a generator, keep it maintained. Make sure the gas is fresh, all the filters are clean, and start the unit about once a month to ensure it’s still in good operating order. Use ethanol-free fuel whenever possible. It’s been shown that using fuel with ethanol can corrode metal parts, break down plastic and rubber, and cause the engine to clog. TruFuel is a good option for these machines. If you’re using a generator, it cannot be used inside! Generators produce carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that is lethal to both people and pets. Carbon monoxide can linger indoors for hours, even after the generator has been turned off. If you’re interested in a generator that is safe to use indoors, look for a solar-powered generator. It doesn’t produce any harmful gases since it doesn’t burn any fuel.
If you aren’t using surge protectors, you should reconsider. When power is restored after an outage, there’s often a strong surge that can fry electronics instantly. Protect your investments and any data stored on them by buying surge protectors. Use them wherever you have TVs, computers, or gaming systems plugged in. One of our employees started using one after power surges ruined not one but two electric dog fences.
If you’re ready to build your storm preparedness kit, let us help! If you have any questions related to this topic or anything related to summertime chores, remember at Randy’s Hardware, we don’t mind your questions! We don’t mind them at all!
