Homeowners should use March 8, the day they turn the clocks ahead for Daylight Saving Time, as a reminder to prepare an emergency kit for power outages based on advice from the International Association of Fire Chefs.
The idea behind the kits is to keep families safe and in communication during power outages and give them an alternative to the dangerous practice of using lit candles.
Check batteries in flashlights and emergency power kits when you change the clock.
"An emergency power kit can literally be a beacon of light in a storm," says Chief Larry J. Grorud, CFO, MIFireE, and president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
"Through the Power Through it All program, we are reminding families to stay prepared for blackouts by preparing emergency power kits that include flashlights for every member of the family, battery-operated radios, portable cell phone chargers and extra batteries."
The association and Energizer recommend that people put a kit in a location that is easily accessible to every family member in an emergency.
The kit should include:
*at least one flashlight for every family member.
*a battery powered lantern for illuminating rooms and large spaces.
*a battery operated weather radio to track storms
*battery operated cell phone chargers
*extra batteries for everything that uses that source of power