Have you thought about how you’ll be able to complete important tasks during power blackouts? You’ll need to eat, drink, stay warm, sleep and even entertain yourself. It’s easy to take these simple things for granted when you have electricity, but you need to be prepared to do them without power. Here’s how to prepare for blackouts:

Decide on Where to Meet

If everyone is at home during a blackout then you won’t need to worry about getting your family together in one location. However, if family members are scattered at different locations, you’ll need to agree ahead of time where to meet. Your home may be the ultimate destination, but you might need to meet somewhere else first before you travel there. Come up with a plan to meet in a safe location, such as a close friend’s house or your workplace. Then come up with plan B and plan C, in case it’s impossible to get to certain places during a blackout.

Plan Who to Call

You may not be able to make local calls during a blackout. Choose a relative or friend who lives out-of-state for everyone to call. This is a way for everyone to “check in” and notify each other of where they’re located, if they can’t get to the designated meeting place. You should ask your contact ahead of time if they would be willing to be a point of contact during emergencies. It’s important to choose someone who is reliable and easy to reach.

Store Wool Blankets

If your only heating source is an electrical heating system, you won’t be able to warm yourself if a blackout occurs during the winter. One way to guard against losing body heat is to store wool blankets, which retain more body heat than other blankets available. Cotton blankets don’t store heat well, and won’t dry in cold weather if they get wet. If you can’t afford to buy (or can’t find) a 100% wool blanket, at least buy a wool blend.

Get an AM/FM Receiver

You don’t want to miss any announcements and news about the blackouts. How will you know what’s going on if you can’t turn on the television or radio? You can get updates with a hand-cranked AM/FM receiver. You don’t need batteries or electricity to operate these. Just crank one up, and you’ll be able to hear weather reports and other communications about any blackouts.

Buy an Emergency Backup Generator

You won’t have to worry about blackouts as much if you have a generator. However, it may not be a viable (or legal) option for you if you live in an apartment or an urban area.

If you can use an emergency backup generator, it’s a good idea to buy one for blackouts. These require gas, diesel, propane or solar power to operate, and provide you with electricity when your power company can’t. You can buy a temporary, portable generator or get a licensed electrician to install a regular one directly into your home’s electrical system.

How you prepare for blackouts is dependent on your location and unique family circumstances. However, everyone can benefit and be better prepared by following the above steps.

In addition to the above…a basic preparedness kit will give you most of the items you need to wait out the blackout. Having the right kit will keep you calm and allow you to address to situation knowing you have some options such as sheltering in place or evacuating the area.

New York, NY – May 11, 2010 – 1-800-PREPARE.com ™, the leader in preparedness information, products and services,  announced today that Paul Purcell and Thomas Buda have joined the company as advisors to the Board of Directors.

Paul Purcell is a widely-recognized expert in corporate preparedness and the author of Disaster Prep 101, considered by many to be the encyclopedia of preparedness.  He is a frequent keynote speaker to large and distinguished corporate audiences and outlines detailed preparedness plans and strategies for corporate America.

“I’m extremely excited to be associated with the leading brand in the preparedness space,” said Purcell.  “1-800-PREPARE.com is aggressively changing the definition of preparedness and I couldn’t be happier to partner with them to carry out their mission of bringing preparedness to the masses.”

Paul Purcell has a deep history in preparedness and his early cases included an informal security analysis of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.  In 1998, he, along with partners Frances Carter and Ben Willis, opened InfoQuest Investigators, Inc., and has been performing security analysis for corporate and industrial locations ever since.

Thomas J. Buda is currently with the U.S. State Department. In October of 2007 he was appointed as the Law Enforcement Liaison Officer at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. In August 2006 while on active military duty he was asked to manage the DOD distinguished visitors program at the U.S. Mission and coordinate DOD contacts with the UN.

“The United States Government has repeatedly made efforts to bring the concept of preparedness to the people of this country,” said Buda. “1-800-PREPARE.com is in a position to succeed where previous efforts have failed.  There are partnership opportunities with various government agencies and the private sector that will solidify 1-800-PREPARE.com as the premier name in all things preparedness.”

“Paul Purcell and Thomas Buda are two of  the most respected individuals in the preparedness space and will have an immediate impact on the government and corporate side of our business,” said Tony Fiorino, CEO of 1-800-PREPARE.com.  “To have people with such strong credentials on our team is a true testament to our value proposition and our unwavering commitment to making sure the people of America are prepared for whatever life throws at them.”

About 1-800-PREPARE.com: 1-800-PREPARE.com was founded by two emergency responders, Paul Faust and Gregg Hamerschlag and offers a full suite of disaster-preparedness supplies, products and resources to help people prepare for life’s everyday challenges as well as emergency situations. Visit www.1800prepare.com for more information.

The biggest threat from a tornado is its incredible winds. Here is an acronym to help you remember same basic things you can do to prepare and protect yourself.

W.I.N.D.S.

Warnings – Pay attention to watches and warnings, and be sure to warn others.    Get people and pets inside.

Interior – Prep the interior of your home by closing windows, and exterior and interior doors.

Now – Don’t waste time. Get to safety now. Don’t watch the storm, and don’t try to videotape the tornado.

Duck – Get in your safe room and get down. Even in the safe room duck under heavy items and cover yourself.

Signal – Signal for help if you are in any way injured or if your area sustained damages.

This great tip was taken from 1-800-prepare.com adviser Paul Purcell’s book, Disaster Prep 101. For more great information you can purchase a copy of this book at our store at www.1800prepare.com

And as always…remember….get a preparedness kit, make a plan, be informed