Skip to content
  • HOME
  • THE DREAMER
    • CONTACT
  • DISCLOSURES
  • HOME
  • custom-logo
  • THE DREAMER
    • CONTACT
  • DISCLOSURES
Life

5 Ways to Be Prepared for a Loss of Electricity

July 25, 2016August 31, 2016 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 20 comments
5 Ways to Be Prepared for a Loss of Electricity

Five tips to prepare for losing power in a summer storm. // dreams-etc.com

Losing power: it’s something that I’ve seen people deal with recently and it’s something that I am very familiar with. I’d say that I tend to lose power at least once each summer due to storms (although I haven’t lost power yet this year, knock on wood). And there have been a few times that I’ve been without power for close to a week. It’s always frustrating to be without power, especially for someone who loves to write and read as much as I do. So over the years I’ve picked up a few tips to help make losing power a little less frustrating.

1 // Make sure electronics are fully charged–or close to it–as often as possible.

I’m not very good with this one and it’s always something I think about when a massive storm hits, but make sure that your electronics have as much of a charge as possible. The two big ones for me are my computer and my phone. I write best on a computer, so if the power goes out and my computer needs to be charged soon I’m always frustrated. To avoid this, I always try to make sure my computer is fully charged–or close to it–during the summer months. That way I know that if I lose power I’ll be able to write for hours. The phone is harder to keep charged, but if I’m hanging out at home I try to keep it as charged as possible.

2 // Store a flashlight in an easy-to-find spot.

Yes, I have a flashlight on my phone, but the last thing I want to do once the power goes out is start using up the battery on that when I can easily keep a flashlight on hand for such an occasion. I keep a flashlight in my nightstand so that if the power goes out I know right where to go. Once I have the flashlight I can dig out candles and/or other flashlights.

3 // Take advantage of any opportunity to charge electronics.

I’ve always been able to do this at work, so I always bring my computer, phone and iPad or Kindle so that I can make sure that I go home with everything fully charged. I’m always able to make it through the night with my electronics, which helps keep my evening routine as normal as possible.

4 // Make the experience fun.

It can be so frustrating to have our modern conveniences taken away, so I like to make it fun. There’s nothing better than reading a thriller at night by candlelight, with shadows bouncing on the wall. And writing by candlelight? Maybe I should let me computer battery run out of charge and get a quill. 🙂

5 // Stop calling the electric company.

This one is also hard. I always want to know what the status is, but if the power is out for a couple of days, it’s because power is out all over the place. They’re aware and calling isn’t going to change anything on their end, but counting up the number of times I’ve called and the power still isn’t on only makes it more frustrating for me. So stop calling (you won’t even get through to a representative) and just do whatever you’re doing to make the experience fun.

At the end of the day, while losing power is frustrating, it’s not the worst thing to live with. The frustration comes from having to change how we live to accommodate the power outage, so having a plan for when the power goes out makes things easier.

(And I feel like I just jinxed myself. Let’s see how long it takes before I experience a power outage.)

What are your tips for losing power?

[Tweet “Five ways to prepare for potentially losing power in a summer storm… and maybe make it fun!”]

Five tips to prepare for losing power in a summer storm. // dreams-etc.com

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

Post navigation

Currently // July 2016
July Ruminations

20 comments

  1. Rebeca Camareno says:
    July 26, 2016 at 10:44 am

    Very helpful! =) Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      August 10, 2016 at 12:48 am

      I’m glad you thought it was helpful! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Susannah says:
    July 26, 2016 at 11:51 am

    These are great tips! I hate losing electricity!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      August 10, 2016 at 12:15 am

      I’m glad you found them helpful! 🙂 And me too!

      Reply
  3. Angela Tolsma says:
    July 26, 2016 at 1:08 pm

    ohhh we lost power for the first time ever and it was an experience and I am so thankful my laptop was fully charge and we had battery back ups but I definitely need to get a few more supplies for the future!!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      August 10, 2016 at 12:13 am

      It’s so hard, especially when you’re not used to power outages! Hopefully you made it through well. 🙂

      Reply
  4. alexandra @ my urban family says:
    July 26, 2016 at 1:26 pm

    These are great tips! Whenever I see a storm coming I try to make sure my phone is charged up all the way at least – and that I know where a flashlight is.

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      August 10, 2016 at 12:09 am

      Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. 🙂 Those are great things to do… and often the first things I check on when I see a storm roll in too. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Tiffany says:
    July 26, 2016 at 3:21 pm

    I am the worst for running my phone super low battery and am often totally screwed if this happens. Great tips!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      August 10, 2016 at 12:09 am

      Me too! Whenever a bad storm rolls in I always look at my phone and it’s close to empty.

      Reply
  6. Jessica says:
    July 26, 2016 at 6:38 pm

    I always struggle with calling the power company, it can get so frustrating when the power is out.

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      August 10, 2016 at 12:08 am

      Me too! I always call more than I should. 🙂 Like you said, it’s just so frustrating.

      Reply
  7. Sheila Jo says:
    July 26, 2016 at 8:37 pm

    Perfect timing for my household! My nephew is visiting, and it’s a running joke that the power always goes out when he is here. My household is pretty good about charging stuff up when a storm is expected, but not as much as a regular habit – good suggestion!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      August 10, 2016 at 12:07 am

      Haha! Hopefully your power didn’t go out this time while your nephew was there! 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  8. Optimistic Existentialist says:
    July 27, 2016 at 5:26 am

    Making the most of it and making it making the experience fun is definitely important! I hope that you have a good Wednesday, my friend 🙂

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      August 10, 2016 at 12:06 am

      Yes! I think that’s the biggest thing for me. If I make it fun, it’s much less frustrating. 🙂 Thanks, Keith! I hope you’ve had a great week (or two!) too. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Autumn says:
    July 27, 2016 at 7:03 am

    We have a generator which is comforting for our fridge etc. When we bought our home, we also made sure that we had a gas stove and heating so if the electricity went out we’d at least have that. Great tips!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      August 10, 2016 at 12:05 am

      Yes, the fridge is always something to worry about! It’s great that you have a generator to help with that! 🙂 And gas stoves are so helpful when it comes to power outages… we have one too, so at least we can use that. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Luna C. Lupus says:
    July 27, 2016 at 5:22 pm

    It’s summer thunderstorm season over here too and these tips are definitely something I’ll keep in mind! I am totally addicted to technology, so power outages (however rare) totally freak me out! Thank you for sharing your tips with us!! 🙂 I especially love #4 – life is what we make it and so is the time we’re without electricity! 😉

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      August 10, 2016 at 12:04 am

      I’m glad you found the tips helpful! I’m addicted to technology too, so it’s always difficult when I have to limit my tech use! 🙂

      Reply

Share Your Thoughts! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. 💙
Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. “The water looks cold,” I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. 😂)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. 😍 PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
See More Follow on Instagram

RECENT POSTS

  • Saying Goodbye to Crystal the Writer
  • The Day the Sorcerers Visited Baby Jesus
  • Thoughts on Hope
  • Christmas Playlist // 2022
  • Life Under Construction

CATEGORIES

  • Adventures (52)
  • Beauty (16)
  • Books (147)
  • Creativity (57)
  • Entertainment (18)
  • Life (224)
  • Uncategorized (539)
  • Wellness (8)

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

Follow
  • Book Review Policy
  • BOOKS
  • Contact
  • DISCLOSURES
  • Insta Links
  • Seint Links
  • THE DREAMER
Copyright © 2023 | All Rights Reserved | © 2023. All text and photos belong to Crystal Brutlag, unless otherwise stated. Theme designed by Little Theme Shop: https://littlethemeshop.com

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Dreams, etc. // Minneapolis Lifestyle Blog
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.