Be Prepared for Blackouts by Having These on Hand

Blackouts are temporary but enough to cut you off from the rest of the world. The whole city goes dark. It’s a peaceful occasion for some, a time to relax perhaps, but it’s dreadful if you’ve got projects pending and deadlines closing in.  

Firstly, unless you’ve got a secondary power source, you may not be able to continue working at all. Secondly, even if you do manage to get your gear up and running, you’re going to have to be highly cautious of power surges at all times. 

You’re also going to need to prepare for emergencies and will need a few gadgets to aid you. We’ve put together this guide to help you prepare for a blackout. Make sure you’ve got the following things tucked in somewhere so you’re well-prepared. Let’s dig in!

1. Get a portable generator

When somebody says generator, they’re usually talking about an electricity generator that runs on fuel. The key point to consider when buying a generator is its wattage. You need to start by calculating the power requirements of all your tools — a router, saw, drill machine or anything that runs through a wall outlet. Your generator has to meet your load demands in order to run efficiently. Otherwise, you may end up damaging your gear.

If you’re looking for a good starting point for a small workshop, you can go for a 2,000 Watt portable generator. It’ll be able to run your angle grinders, sanders, jigsaws, etc. If you’ve got a large workshop where you have to run heavy machinery like table saws, go for a 5,000 Watt generator. 

2. Get a couple of flashlights

Try to stack your drawer with two or three headlamps and a couple of flashlights. As soon as the power goes out, you’ll need to start your generator. That’s when a torch or headlamp will come in handy. You may also have to walk out to catch some air or grab things from a warehouse. Either way, having a flashlight is going to be helpful.

3. Batteries

Make sure you’ve got a pack of AA and AAA batteries. You may end up needing them for your flashlight, radio or any essentials that do not run on a wall plug. If you’ve got a drill machine or any other device that runs on a battery, make sure it’s charged before the power goes out.

4. Circuit breakers: Save your gear from power surges

Try and install circuit breakers in all your switchboards. A circuit breaker is a small, button-like device that turns itself off as soon as there are any power surges. Installing them in your shop protects your expensive gear from being damaged during power surges or shortages. 

5. Keep a fire extinguisher for emergencies

Make sure you’ve got a workshop-grade fire extinguisher that will help you get rid of any accidental fire breakouts. It’s always a good idea to prepare for emergencies. If you’ve got employees, make sure to arrange fire drills so they’re prepared. 

6. Powerbank to charge your phone

You’re going to have phone reception even during a blackout. So it goes without saying that your phone should be charged at all times. You’re going to need your phone to make calls in case of an emergency. We suggest buying a power bank with USB outlets to charge your phone or perhaps a more advanced power station if you want to be prepared for a longer outage. 

Final Thoughts

Before summing up, we strongly advise that you avoid working during a blackout. Especially if the work involves the use of heavy machinery. If you still have to, make sure you’re mindful of all the tips and precautions we’ve mentioned above.