Using Solar Power to Prepare for an Emergency
Anyone who heads to the Ready America website (www.ready.gov) will find an untold number of tips and recommendations for emergency preparedness. The topics covered include the development of a household emergency kit, a reliable plan for any number of incidents or events, and a link for information about a range of emergencies. For example, a visitor to the site will find information about biological threats, blackouts, fires, floods, tornadoes and much more.
One thing that really stands out about all of the emergency preparedness planning is the fact that traditional “everyday” services are likely to be lost during most issues. For example, telephone services, electrical supplies, and even access to fresh water could all be lost during something like rolling blackouts or even wildfires. While a household emergency kit, when properly prepared, would have enough water, medicine and food for approximately three days, it would never come with enough access to electricity that could keep a family or household informed of the current situation.
Luckily, there are many types of solar powered options that could easily keep a cell phone battery fully charged, a small radio running for days on end, or even a household supplied to keep food stores and heat in full operation.
What this means is that in addition to making the necessary preparations where an emergency kit and plans are concerned, a home owner should really scrutinize the ways that they might incorporate solar power into their emergency preparedness too.
Clearly, one of the simplest things to invest in is solar power supplies for small electronics. There are some flat and easily stored options that are used by hikers to keep GPS units and cell phones charged while far from traditional electrical supplies. Adding something like this to the kit could make it much easier to communicate with family and emergency services.
There are also many different types of lighting fixtures that are capable of receiving a full charge from solar panels too. This could be a great way to keep a home illuminated after dark when no power is available.
Of course using solar power panels in the home could also keep the family supplied with hot water (though a water pump might be unavailable without full electrical service) or with some household electricity. A small solar configuration could easily create enough power to keep the refrigerator and freezer operating, a household furnace running, and even some additional electrical devices too.
No one should believe that their emergency preparedness is complete without first examining their options for solar power to see them through a crisis.
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