The average American has experienced about 2 hours of power interruption each
year since 2013, when major weather events are excluded. In 2020 the average was
8 hours of lost power per household, when extreme weather events like hurricanes
and tornadoes are factored in. How can you be prepared?
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Plan for the worst. In advance of a severe storm, make sure all essential
devices are fully charged, your gas tank is full and you have flashlights with
functional batteries placed strategically around your home. Place medicines,
first-aid items, bottled water, and ready-to-eat foods where they’ll be easy to
find. -
Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer as much as possible to deter
spoilage. -
Consider a generator. A portable generator typically costs between $400 and
$1,500, while installing a stand-alone generator capable of powering your
entire home will cost at least $3,000.
