The lights went out when you were just minding your business. Power outages at night feel disorienting and scarier than during the day. You are confused, you do not know what to do, or how long it is going to last. 

In fact, you should know how to ensure your safety. A storm, grid failure, or blown fuse can happen anytime. Our guide reveals what to do when the power goes out at night, from what you should do first to how to keep yourself safe before the lights come back on. Let’s make sure you’re never left in the dark.

Why Power Outages Happen at Night

Power cuts mainly occur during the night. Moreover, there is a reason for this problem. Failures can happen at any moment, but there is a special stress at night.

The principal reason is the high load. People put on high-wattage loads, lighting, and electronics at night, all at precisely the same time, causing overload of the system's transformer.

Severe weather, such as storms, high winds, and hail, can often begin in the evening and damage lines and equipment.

Raccoons and squirrels are nocturnal creatures that usually cause short circuits in the transformer when they touch them.

The utilities do scheduled maintenance overnight. They often choose nighttime hours to minimize disruption to daily activities.

What to Do When the Power Goes Out at Night

What are distractions, and how do we deal with them? On a night of a power cut, everything goes dark. Thus, it is best to have a backup plan. If the power goes out, do these things to keep you safe, informed, and as comfortable as possible.

Stay Calm and Check the Situation

First, take a deep breath and avoid panicking. Get a flashlight and check the severity of the problem. Ask friends or neighbors if they're also experiencing a power outage. If everything else is dark, the problem is likely external. After checking the fuse, check your home's circuit breaker panel to see if any switches are malfunctioning. If the circuit breaker is working properly, contact your local power company to report the outage and avoid a prolonged blackout.

Use Safe Lighting Options

Make sure you have light sources to navigate your home. Do not use candles that can catch on fire during power outages. Keep battery-operated flashlights, headlamps, or LED lanterns close. You should prepare a battery backup for a blackout. It gives a bright and safe light without an open flame.

Check the Power Outage Map

Keep tuned in on your mobile or battery radio. Most power companies offer an outage map on their website. View the impact area and estimated time of restoration at your location. By checking the site or social media pages, you can get a gauge of what is down and how long it is expected to take. Once you know it, you can stay away or choose to go.

Open the Portable Power Station to Charge Your Device

You need to power on your portable power station in advance. When setting up your power, connect your cell phone first so that you can contact your friends and family. This allows you to run a fan, router, or possibly even a small medical device, making your outage more manageable and safe. You will be more relaxed when the most important devices are always on.

Maintain Comfort and Safety

Keep your surroundings and your resources in check all the time. Try not to open the refrigerator or freezer door. Closing the door keeps food longer. If it is cold, wear multiple layers to keep the heat in. A battery-operated fan can keep you cool when it’s hot outside. 

How to Prepare for a Power Outage

Every household needs to learn how to prep for a blackout. There are certain things you can do to make the situation a lot less stressful and risky during a power outage.

Prepare a Portable Power Station or Generator

First, invest in a reliable backup power source. A portable power station can ideally charge all of your small devices and appliances without any of the fumes and noises of a gas generator. Select an appliance that can satisfy your basic needs and is always charged. A portable generator that is the true-to-type configuration may be a good option. 

Stock Up on Food and Water

Next, assemble a supply of non-perishable nutrition. Have a gallon of water per person for three days. That should be the first concern on your list. Do not include any items that require refrigeration. Choose items that you would not require to cook. Canned food, protein bars, and dry cereals are examples. Remember to include a manual can opener in your supplies. 

Build an Emergency Kit

When you do this, assemble a good emergency kit; you shouldn’t just gather food and water. Keep a first-aid kit ready, along with radio spare bulbs and batteries. Keep copies of important documents, cash, and basic tools. Put everything in an easy-to-carry and accessible container. This kit is everything you need for any emergency.

Plan for Special Needs & Family Care

Finally, consider every member of your household. Make sure you have any prescribed medicine or other medical supplies you will need in advance. Make sure to have plenty of food and other necessary supplies for your elderly, babies, or pets, like formula and pet food. 

Best Portable Power Station for Power Outage

The right backup power is at the heart of good planning. In a power outage, a portable power station is a reliable emergency power solution to charge phones, power lights, and many other appliances. If you are looking for an emergency power supply for an application, then definitely look at the VTOMAN FlashSpeed.

VTOMAN FlashSpeed 600

Ideal for short-term disruptions, the 600W power station provides essential power with its 499Wh capacity and 600W output. The power bank can charge mobile phones and tablets. You can also use it to run laptops and LEDs for hours. Because of its portable design and enough capacity, you could use it in a different room or move it around. This one is an ideal device that is suitable for a small power blackout where basic light and charging are sufficient.

VTOMAN FlashSpeed 1000

Designed for medium-duration outages, the portable power station 1000W offers 828Wh of capacity output. Through this powerful battery bank, you may charge several devices at the same time. This one can power a smaller router, CPAP, mini-fridge, etc. A bigger capacity gives you peace of mind in case of extended outages. This type of battery is ideal for homes that require a functional but not too bulky battery.

VTOMAN FlashSpeed 1500

For extended emergencies, the FlashSpeed 1500 delivers robust performance with 1548Wh capacity and 1500W output. Large refrigerators, medical equipment, and electric-powered tools. Can work through long shutdowns when attached to solar. This unit is the best option for a long-term power solution for families looking for reliability.

FAQ

How long will the power be out in my area?

Different outages have different estimated times for restoration. Normally, it can take anywhere from two to four hours to resolve it. Nonetheless, when bad weather causes damage, it encounters issues, and then it can take days to get fixed. Check the utility’s outage map and social media for the estimated time of restoration.

How to check power outages in your area?

To resolve an issue in your utility service, just visit the utility company’s website on your mobile. You can see the live outage map. There is a reporting line for outage information. Social media uses community groups for crew sighting reports and damage notifications.

How long can food last in the fridge during an outage?

A closed refrigerator keeps food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer may maintain its temperature for 48 hours. If half-full, it will maintain temperature for 24 hours. Keep doors closed as much as possible to preserve cold air. 

What size power station do I need for my home?

How many watt-hours do I need in a day? Choose a station with a capacity of either 1500 or 3000Wh. This type of equipment could be needed for refrigerators or medical equipment. Add a 20-30% buffer for efficiency loss. Solar energy can help power large systems during a blackout, as well as for medical usage.