Easy Emergency Preparedness: Backup Power

Power outages are becoming more frequent and around the world, but specifically, here in the United States.

Members of the Homestead team recently experienced an extended outage when wind and nearby wildfires knocked out power for several days (thankfully Lion Energy kept us powered up and working). In some areas, power companies are proactively shutting off power ahead of approaching storms.

The combination of aging infrastructure, extreme weather, cyber threats, and increasing energy demands put us in a situation where we'd be foolish not to plan for power outages. 

Why Power Outages Are Increasing

Aging Infrastructure: Many power grids, especially in the United States, were built decades ago and are struggling to keep up with modern energy demands. Without significant upgrades, these systems are prone to failures, particularly during peak usage.

Extreme Weather: Climate change has intensified natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, ice storms, and heatwaves. These events are some of the leading causes of widespread power outages, as they damage transmission lines, transformers, and other critical components.

Cyber Threats: Power grids are increasingly reliant on digital systems, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks. In recent years, there have been concerning examples of hackers targeting critical energy infrastructure, highlighting the need for robust defenses.

Energy Demand: The shift toward electrification—electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and growing populations—places additional strain on power grids that were not designed for such loads.

The Impact of Power Outages

The consequences of power outages go far beyond inconvenience. They can jeopardize lives and disrupt critical services:

Health Risks: Loss of heating or cooling during extreme temperatures can be life-threatening. Medical devices and refrigeration for medications are also at risk. During the California outage we mentioned earlier, a neighbor texted asking what they should do to keep their child's insulin safe without power. Being in that situation is panic-inducing and heart-breaking for anyone, but especially a parent.

Water Supply: Many water pumps rely on electricity, meaning a prolonged outage can cut off access to clean drinking water.

Communication Breakdown: Without power, cell towers and internet services may fail, leaving communities isolated (let's talk about ham radio another time!).

Food Spoilage: Refrigeration and freezing systems can only maintain food safety for a limited time without power, leading to significant waste. Pro tip: Keep your fridge and freezer full (even if that means cooling/freezing containers of water to take up free space), and minimize opening the door unless completely necessary. Know what you're opening the door for and where it's located before opening the door to preserve critical cool air.

Preparing for Power Outages

Given the increasing likelihood and duration of outages, investing in backup power solutions is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Products like the Lion Energy Safari Solar Generator offer a clean, quiet, and reliable way to keep essential devices running during an emergency.

Solar generators are especially valuable because they don’t rely on fuel, which can be hard to obtain during a crisis. For most outages, the Safari will be all you need (it can power medical devices, power tools, lights, charge electronics, and even run your refrigerator). 

The best part about being prepared for an outage is that these units are meant to be used—keep them plugged in and use as a UPS, take them camping, to tailgate parties, outdoor events (remote movie night anyone?), and more. Having the freedom of portable, renewable energy is a great way to be prepared, enjoy peace of mind, and potentially even save a life in an emergency.

By understanding the risks and equipping yourself with tools to maintain power, you can mitigate the worst impacts of outages and ensure your family’s safety and comfort during challenging times.