Here’s how to always be prepared for when the power goes out

It may be difficult to imagine, but people actually got along without electric power for thousands of years. Some people still get along without it today! But in this day and age, not being able to switch on the lights or turn on your electrical devices is something we just aren’t prepared for…

Even so, things happen, like power outages and sometimes they can last a while. So, being prepared is a wise investment.

The definition of “prepared” will vary depending on where you live and the events surrounding the outage. But no matter the time or place, the general areas of preparation remain the same.

Here’s how to always be fully prepared for when the power goes out:

Light

There’s no substitute for investing in a few quality flashlights (Klarus Light) and fresh batteries. A battery operated lantern that offers general rather than focused illumination is also well worth it. Experts recommend not using candles because of the fire hazard.

Communications

Cordless telephones don't work when the power fails, and cell phones will run out of juice within a few hours. So, be sure you have at least one corded phone in your house. For your cell phones – buy a power bank from Off Grid or a charging adapter that plugs into the lighter in your car.

Heat

If you live in a cold climate, you'll need to figure out a method for keeping at least one room warm. If you already have gas logs, a wood-burning stove, or a fireplace, you should be in good shape.

Water

A secondary source of water is especially important if you have a well with an electric pump. Once the pump stops, the water stops, too. But even if you have city- or county-supplied water, your water could be affected if the power is out long enough.

Food/Cooking

Depending on your situation, you may be able to drive to the nearest eatery that still has power. But that isn't always possible. So keep food on hand that doesn't require cooking or refrigeration, such as crackers, peanut butter, snack bars, bread, and canned fruit.

This is one time that buying in bulk may not be a cost-saver — giant cans of food may go bad without refrigeration if you can't finish them in one sitting. If you can plan ahead and stock mostly items you'll eat eventually anyway, your emergency food pantry doesn't need to cost much extra. Just be sure to rotate the food periodically to keep it fresh.

Preparing for a power outage is an investment, but the peace of mind you and your family will receive from knowing you're prepared is an ongoing dividend. And if the power does eventually go out, the payoff will rapidly appreciate.

Useful tips to keep in mind when buying a power bank

Your own personal requirements will determine what kind of charger you need to have. If you don’t carry too many devices when you travel, then you can buy a small and low capacity power bank just to charge your cell phone. If you need to charge a iPad, tablet, etc. then it is important to have one with a higher capacity.

1. Capacity

The main attribute associated to a power bank is its capacity. You cant exactly calculate how many times a specific power bank can charge your device, but keep this rule in mind – more mAH = more capacity.

If you have a cell phone with a 1500mAH battery, then ideally 1500mAH can fully charge your cell phone once. When you are buying a portable power bank, make sure it can charge the battery of a specific device. Why not buy yourself a power bank today, take a look at Off Grid’s website where there is a wide variety of power banks to choose from at an affordable price.

2. USB Charging

Most current power bank chargers have built-in USB charging capability. Some of the older models don’t have this feature. After you have fully charged your power bank at home, it is a simple matter to connect the device to your cellphone with an adapter and your phone will start charging instantly.

3. Price & Quality

Apart from battery strength, one other thing which can help decide which power bank charger is best for you is the price! However, you should never buy a portable power bank which either uses refurbished batteries or which doesn’t contain the basic features.

4. Portability

One of the main reasons to buy a power bank is the fact that it is portable. The ability to charge your devices on the move because you can simply take a charger with you is a huge plus!

Because of the large number of personal devices that we now have, such as smartphones, tablets, iPads, cameras, GPS and iPods to name a few, it is basically a necessity to have one if you want to make sure you never run out of battery power on your device.

5. Power Bank Recommendations

Off Grid can provide you with a wide range of different backup power solutions, one being power banks. Visit the website today and browse through some of the devices on offer, if you’re looking for a power bank that is both affordable and high quality then this is where you’ll find it.

A portable power bank charger can make a huge difference in the enjoyment of your devices. We need them in our everyday lives and a power bank makes it possible to keep our communications going after our device batteries have died.

Beat load shedding with a Power Bank

Load shedding has been under control for a while now, and we haven’t heard anyone utter the word lately. However we do live in South Africa and load shedding is an evil that can arise at any time and place, plus let’s not forget that power surges and spikes happen too.

Off Grid has the perfect load shedding solutions for your home or your business, they can help you get through the problems with affordable and simple backup power devices.

One great way to get through load shedding is to purchase a power bank and make sure that it is always juiced up and ready to go!

This may seem like an obvious option, but it is very important. There is only so long a smartphone or tablet can last on one charge, so having a spare power bank with extra charge is a must have in load shedding or power cut situations.

Off Grid’s favourite little power banks, that are available to purchase, are:

- The 2000MAH power bank

- The ultra slim 3500MAH power bank

- The 4400MAH power bank

- The 6000MAH power bank

Of course, there are definitely alternatives to using a power bank, but if you need to keep your battery life going strong then the power bank is a  small, easy and cost effective option.

Load Shedding and Safety

Most of us use a mixture of sources to get energy into our households. Because of load shedding, we can’t always rely on electricity to keep our homes powered. Alternatives include electricity, gas, coal, paraffin, firewood, candles and solar power to fulfill the job of lighting, cooking or heating.

What we don’t always consider with the alternatives we turn to is safety. Energy accidents are a global problem; and can cause accidents with children and adults. Education around energy safety not only helps you and your family but the community as a whole.

There are some preventative measures you can take to ensure that you and your family are always safe when load shedding prevents you from using electricity.

Preventative measures:

- Repair all damaged and broken wires in your home

- Never ever let children use appliances, paraffin stoves or candles unsupervised

- Turn off appliances when you are done using them

- Dangerous products, such as paraffin and matches should always be kept out of reach and properly sealed

- Make sure the container you use for storing paraffin is not used for anything else

- Have emergency numbers in highly visible places for children to call during a crisis

Dealing with the emergency

- Get yourself and others out of the situation

- Call for help

- Using sand to put out electrical and paraffin fires is far more effective than water

- All burns should be taken seriously, get the injured person to a hospital or clinic as fast as possible

Load shedding is not going away anytime soon. Because of this, we have been forced to use other ways to supply ourselves with power.

Although accidents do happen; we have to take extra measures to make sure that those dearest to us are safe and protected!

Off Grid can provide your home or your business with effective load shedding solutions. Don't get caught in the dark, purchase one of our many products today!

How does a Portable Power Bank work?

A power bank is basically an external battery in its own sealed case. Power banks usually come with a USB cable, so you can connect it to a power source such as your laptop or your phone. The great thing about having a power bank is that you can carry it, cable and all, in your pocket, purse or backpack. And when you see your battery sinking, all your have to do is simply plug your laptop or phone in with the USB cable!

We’ve all been in the situation when you’re out, you’ve got a million things to do and you need your smartphone to send an email or make a call, and alas – your battery is dead! And now that load shedding is basically a regular occurrence, we also find ourselves in a situation where we can’t use our smartphones or laptops because the power has been cut!

Now the old solution would be to maybe go sit in your car in the parking lot and use your phone charger, or find a restaurant with an outlet to plug your charger into. It’s hard to admit, but without your smartphone – you’re screwed. So what is the solution to this problem? Portable power banks.

So, how do they work? Power banks are comprised of a special battery in a special case with a special circuit to control power flow. They allow you to store electrical energy and then use it later to charge up your electrical devices. Power banks have become very popular because of the dreaded load shedding and because the battery life of our beloved phones, tablets and laptops have become

outstripped. By keeping a battery backup close by, you can easily top-up your devices.

Power banks can be used for just about anything; cameras, GoPros, smartphones, tablets, portable speakers, MP3 players and GPS systems. Practically anything you really need can be charged with a power bank – you just have to remember to keep your power bank charged too!

Looking for an affordable and reliable power bank for your electronic devices? Place your order from Off Grid today!