Summertime power outage

When the power suddenly goes out on a scorching summer day, the initial response is to enjoy the nice day outside. But when you go back in the house it can be a very frustrating and uncomfortable experience. With no air conditioning, refrigeration, or electronic devices, it's important to be prepared and know how to mitigate your losses and hazards.

Find out if it’s your house or regional. If you are on utility power, call Matanuska Electric Association’s Outage Reporting Line at 907-746-7697 and leave a message. Then visit their website at https://www.mea.coop/power-outages and click on View Outage Map. This will show you where power is currently out in real-time. If you see a lot of power outages, it’s regional. Do not call the main line and ask for an estimated outage time – they have no way to know when it will be back on until after it has been energized and stays on. The cause may be as simple as a squirrel meeting an unfortunate demise at a transfer station, or it might be a series of trees blown over into multiple lines. Have patience and let them do their jobs without interruption and harassment.

If the map is barren, it may just be you. Check your breaker panel for any tripped breakers. If you don’t see any, go outside and look at the pedestal where the power comes into your home. Does anything look damaged? Also follow the power line from that pedestal from the house to the first power pole – you will see metal hooks connected to the bottom of the wooden beams attached to the pole. There are at least two but often three or four. Is one of them hanging a lot lower than the others? All this information is useful to MEA when you report the power outage.

Because we live in Alaska, many people do not have air conditioning. But to those who do for medical or comfort reasons, conserving the cool air you already have and minimizing the entry of heat are key. Keep doors and windows closed to prevent warm air from entering your home. Close windows if the outside is hotter than your inside. Close curtains or blinds to block out sunlight and reduce heat transfer. If possible, move to the lowest level of your home as heat rises. Consider using battery-operated fans or manual handheld fans to circulate air.

Being able to drink plenty of water is the most essential of life skills, so having access to water it important to prevent dehydration. Bottled water is a good option; keep them out of the sunlight to extend their shelf stability. Filling water containers before an outage is also good.

Food spoilage is a major concern during power outages. Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain cool temperatures. Perishable items can typically remain safe for a few hours without power, while freezers can preserve food for up to 48 hours if unopened. Consider transferring perishable items to a cooler with ice to extend their shelf life. When the power comes back on, check your foods right away to see their status. You can call knowledgeable people or do a search online for foods about their specific integrity during periods of thaw, as some foods do better than others. Refreezing thawed foods from the freezer is not always in your interest. If in doubt, throw it out.

With no electricity, you'll need alternative sources of lighting. Flashlights with fresh batteries readily available in your home are one option, battery-powered lanterns and candles are another. Use caution and never leave lamps, lanterns, or candles unattended. If you have a generator, use it to power essential lights and appliances but ensure proper ventilation and follow safety guidelines.

Staying informed about the situation is important, and so is receiving updates. Tune in to battery-operated radios for news, weather updates, and any emergency information if the outage is due to a disaster or wildfire. Keep your mobile phone charged and limit its use to conserve battery life. Many stores sell solar chargers for mobile devices.

Staying cool under pressure is important, but so is just plain staying cool. If you do not have alternative power to keep your essentials on, take refuge in public places that have power such as shopping malls, libraries, or community centers. Consider visiting friends or family who have electricity or alternative power. If you have access to a swimming pool or natural body of water, take advantage of it to cool down when needed.

A power outage can disrupt daily routines and leave you without electronic entertainment: take advantage of this time to embrace the opportunity for unplugged activities such as reading books, playing board games, or engaging in conversations with family or neighbors. Use the downtime to relax, recharge, and connect with others on a deeper level. Write that thank you card for your birthday gift last year that you keep putting off. There are a lot of ways you can spend your time without electronics, and it’s a great opportunity to be a role model for youths that have never had a life without electronics.

Christian M. Hartley is a 40-year Alaskan resident with over 25 years of public safety experience and public service. He runs a freelance business, Big Lake Writer, from home in Big Lake that he shares with his wife of 19 years and their three teenage sons.