Normally, we do not travel, if we know that there is going to be a hurricane sweeping over our hotel. But what if something sudden happens? How can we prepare ourselves for crises as travelers? Here are some tips for you to be more prepared in case of power cuts or any other sudden situation.
The idea for this article came from our experiences when traveling in the USA. You can read our blogs about a trip to Orlando and Atlantic City. On both those trips we were fine but there was a risk hovering upon us on our arrival. It came to my mind, that maybe we should be more prepared, in case of a serious situation.
On our first night in AC there was actually a fire alarm going off at the hotel. When the alarm was still ringing, I checked if there was smoke in the hallway. I also checked what floor we are in and where the fire escapes are. In case of fire you should not use the lifts. I also checked where our passports and phones are, in case we needed to leave the room. Luckily, the alarm was set off by a “chef” doing some night snack without the cooker hood on, so we did not need to evacuate. This was a situation that made me think about our safety when traveling and an inspiration to this article.
Preparations before traveling
Before traveling, I start following the social media page of the local officials of the destination city. For example the Police Department or the City, so that I can get updates from the local authorities. It is always important to get the information from the proper officials and local authorities instead of some random social media groups as these tend to go wild if a situation develops.
You should make sure you have these items packed with you:
- medication and a thermometer
- cash
- first aid (plasters etc.) travel kit. This compact kit contains everything you need for your journey.
- water bottles for everyone
- wet wipes
- a battery light. This is very small to carry and very cheap. You should always have one of these handy for each member of the family, in case the lights are out for a while. At home you can have led candles as well.
- power bank. These are Tony and very affordable to buy for each family member.
- a radio with batteries. This is small enough for travel but still very powerful if the internet and electricity goes down.
- matches or a lighter
- plastic bags
Water
I think the most important thing is to have drinking water for the whole family for couple of days.If you know there is a risk of power cuts or some other crisis, then having couple of liters of water per person, would be ideal. Normally a person would need 5 liters of water for 72 hours (3 days).
Bathroom
If there is a severe power cut and no generator, then the water might stop running as well. This will cause some issues in the bathroom as well, because you can only flush once and after that the water tank stops from filling. I would not recommend using the drinking water for flushing the toilet, but instead use plastic bags. Put the plastic bag under the toilet rim and add newspaper or toilet paper. Pack the bag inside two other plastic bags tightly and put it in the mixed waste. It is important to look after your hygiene so use wet wipes or hand sanitizer to keep your hands clean.
Cash and Food
It is always worth having some cash on you as well. At least the amount you would spend on shopping for groceries for the family for example 70 € (80 $). If there is a wide power cut or the internet goes down, the shop register systems, banks and ATM’s stop working. You can have some snacks like muesli bars, nuts and raisins or dried fruit, rice cakes and fruit. You can have cup-a-noodles or ready-oats or something that is cooked with a small amount of water. If you have pets, you probably have food but make sure you also have water reserved for the pet.
Light and Radio
If the electricity stops working, then the lights go out, so you should have a light with you. Save your phone battery, if you cannot charge it, to use it for phone calls. Ideally you would have a battery radio with you and batteries, so you can listen to the official radio announcements. If you make a fire, it should be made outside in a safe area.
Power Cuts in a Cold Climate
These scenarios are highly unlikely. It does not hurt to be prepared though. What if there is a power cut and you are traveling in winter in a cold country. Sometimes a tree has fallen on a power line. In this case you should never touch the fallen tree yourself but call the electricity company. They will take care of it. Sometimes it takes a while for them to locate the problem. Turn off all electrical equipment (iron, coffee maker, cooker), because they can cause a fire when the power comes back on. All the same advice apply here as well as mentioned earlier and water is the most important. You should not drink the melted snow, but you can use it for washing yourself (if it looks clean).
When it comes to staying warm, make sure you have enough warm clothes for everyone. Dressing with layers and a woolly hat, socks and gloves are great. If the temperatures drop below 15 degrees Celsius, make sure you do not open the front door often. Cover the floor with extra carpets and rugs. Insulate the windows from draft with towels. Cover the windows with curtains or blankets. Keep the doors closed inside.
If you have to sleep in a cold cabin then you can all sleep in the same room with the fireplace. In Finland some cabins have saunas heated with wood so that would be the warmest place to sleep. If you do not have either of these, you can make a tent under the dining table with blankets and bedding. It is best to sleep close to each other together as a family, so you generate heat for each other.
When driving long distances in a cold country especially in winter darkness, make sure you have enough warm clothes with you, if the car breaks down. It can take a while to get help and the temperature in the car can drop quickly.
Chemical Leaks
In case of a chemical gas leak accident outside, you can insulate the rooms and turn off the air coming in. You can then use sellotape for insulating the windows. If your accommodation is next to a highway, a big chemical plant or a railroad, this risk can be higher. You should wait until the authorities advice you that it is safe to go outside again.
In a nutshell
The main thing is to always try to help each other. Being aware of risks and being prepared gives you peace of mind. Taking care of regular sleep and food intake will increase your resilience. Remember to only try and get information from the local officials and authorities.
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