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12 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MAY 2021 By Phil Westbrook Power outages can be an inconvenience, but with the right preparations, these situations can easily be managed. Here are some simple ideas for getting through a power outage. First, get the notifications. Sign up for SCE text notifications at www.scepsps.com and the Daily Report (under the "Daily Report/ Breaking News" tab on the website home page) so you can know when to act. Upon receiving a notification of a possible outage, you may want to consider taking your car out of the garage before power goes out. Know how to manually open your garage door. Having your car outside opens up many potentials besides transportation. Your car can be a safe and warm refuge and a place to monitor the radio and charge your phone. Some newer cars come with 120-volt AC power. And, always keep your tank at least half full. Portable gas-powered generators pose many problems, such as set- up, exhaust fume discharge, and noise issues. Also, gasoline storage in a residential setting has legal problems. Here are some cheaper solutions to get you through until the power comes back on: Consider purchasing a portable battery pack with inverter. I bought one at Walmart's automotive section for about $135 a couple years ago. It incorporates a battery, 110 VAC outlet, USB ports, LED service light, the ability to jump start a car, and has a 150 PSI air compressor. It recharges by plugging it in. It's also great on road trips. A portable USB power pack works to keep your phone charged. I had one for years and it works great. It charges from a powered USB port. It's lightweight and convenient for long hikes as well. The refrigerator is likely the number one reason why we think we need a generator. A spoiled gallon of milk doesn't justify the cost of a generator. Newer refrigerators have great insulation qualities. To help this along during a power outage, keep the doors shut. Like an ice chest on a camp out, it will maintain temperatures for a reasonably long time. Keeping it fully loaded makes it even better. This is called thermal mass. Adding bags of ice and bottles of water will do the trick. Lights are critical. Have flashlights and candles on hand. Also, a portable spotlight is great for frequently-used areas. LED lights work best for this lighting. And don't forget to have plenty of spare batteries on hand. Heat is right up there with lighting and can be a problem. One thing for certain, DO NOT use the stove to warm the house. Close up the house to maintain existing heat. Have a good jacket and blanket handy. Thermal (blackout) curtains work well and are great energy savers, too. Cooking and warming up food, if needed, can easily be done outside on an existing BBQ or a portable camp stove. I found one at an Asian food store for about $30 — and don't forget the fuel canisters. And last but not least, check on others around you who may need assistance. For more information, email me at pwestbrook9@gmail.com.