The Best Tech to Have When the Power Goes Out

Just imagine: You and your family are all in the living room, circled around the coffee table and a board game is sprawled open. Reruns of your favorite show are playing on the television screen, and you’re enjoying some quality family time. That is, until the lights begin to flicker and ultimately go out.

Power outages are a normal occurrence. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average American electricity customer experienced one power outage in 2016, with some experiencing up to 112 minutes without electricity. So, with electrical outages being common enough to occur yearly, it’s probably a good idea to be prepared for these instances. This is especially true in the parts of this country that don’t have a high population or have fewer people to an electrical grid. This could mean your lights will be the last to go back on, and having some backup measures to ensure less hassle might ease the situation. Here are some tech items that’ll come in handy in case of a power outage.

Generators

First and foremost, one of the easiest ways you can get the lights back on after a power outage is by using a generator. A generator, like your normal source of power, can provide electricity to your entire home. Whether your generator is one of the Perkins diesel generators in the UK or is a portable, electric one, you can provide yourself some degree of power during an outage. A larger, diesel-based generator will provide power to your entire home in these instances, and a smaller one may only provide a charge to your smartphone and other devices. Depending on where you live, a large generator may be a lifesaver if your power gets knocked out.

And this isn’t just another tech item you’ll buy and never use. The New York Times reports that nearly 1 million portable generators are sold each year. This means that millions rely on it as a solid backup plan.

Portable batteries

Like a generator, portable batteries with USB connectivity can recharge your phone and other devices in case of a power outage. Even if you don’t live out in the country and can trust the power to come back on in 30 minutes, you still might need some power and internet access. A portable battery could be the answer. For example, if your power goes out while you’re searching online for movie showtimes, a portable battery could give you the power to charge your laptop or Wi-Fi router.

Flashlights or lanterns

Next, if you’re in the middle of a blackout and need to be able to see your generator or battery, you’ll want to have a flashlight or portable electric lantern. These devices easy to find, and they come in many types. You can get your typical battery-powered lanterns or you can get rechargeable ones that can be charged via USB port. The latter should be charged and ready to go in case of any power outage. And they’re helpful for more than just your typical blackout. They’re handy to have any time you need to see dark spaces.

Portable digital radio

Finally, you’ll want a portable digital radio in case you need to contact someone for help. Some power outages can cause problems such as injuries. Other problems can be caused by large storms. Either way, they can pose a concern for your safety, and having a means to communicate with aid is vital. Have a portable digital radio charged and stored away in case you experience anything scary during a blackout.