What to Do If You Lose Power from a Storm and Other Safety Tips

When you’re a kid, losing power can sometimes be fun. You get to use flashlights and your mom and dad light candles waiting for the power to come back on. If it’s simply an hour or two then it’s fun, if it’s for a day or two or three then that’s not good. A power outage for a couple of hours usually doesn’t affect kids that much today as long as their phone is charged or they have a charger ready to go.

When I was a kid we had a power outage during a big storm storm. We gathered around with our flashlights, lit up the room with candles, and played board games. I guess you could say we found a new appreciation for simplicity. When the power finally returned, we soon went back to our normal lives, but as you see, I was left with a fun childhood memory.

With people all over the United States have been experiencing severe weather, it has resulted in many people losing power. There are certain things that are recommended when this happens.

Other than contacting the electric company and reporting the outage, after the storm passes you should always stay away from fallen or sagging power lines and any trees in contact with those lines.

If you’re expecting a storm, there are also many things that can be done before the storm hits to make sure you’re prepared for an outage. These things include charging all cell phones and laptops, packing an emergency supply kit with nonperishable food and water, and having a stock of any medicine that anyone may need. A battery-operated radio will also come in handy for local updates.

If you’re a pet owner you also need to have plans to keep your pets safe during an outage. If you have a generator, make sure it’s ready to go, and it’s also a good idea to pick up a couple of bags of ice just in case.

One more thing, you might want to dig out all the board games from the back of the closet just in case.

If you’ve never worked from home, you probably think it’s much easier than having to get ready every morning, making sure the kids are taken care of, driving into the office, and being off working all day.

Well, even though working from home has its drawbacks, it usually is much easier for most. My wife has been fortunate enough to be able to do so for the past ten years, and it has made life much easier for her and the family.

The same is true for many other moms who enjoy the flexibility of working from home. They are also very aware of the difficulties involved. For example, you’re working, and trying to do that with kids in the house for the summer makes it much more challenging.

You have to find the perfect balance between your responsibilities as an employee and being a mom. Kids don’t always understand that even though you’re in the house, sometimes you can’t be disturbed for any reason other than an emergency. It’s worth mentioning something you already know, your kids’ definition of an emergency can differ greatly from yours.

So let’s talk about CafeMom.com, and the seven “rules for success” that may be helpful for you and other moms in a similar situation.

Mimi Nicklin is an author and works full-time as the CEO of an ad agency. She works from home and also travels with her family. She’s developed the following methods to make it work for her and the rest of her house.

You need to be comfortable, in an area that’s well-lit and enclosed, so you have the emotional space, as well as the physical space to focus on work and show your family that you’re in “work mode.” You need to set a clear boundary.

You need to follow a consistent daily schedule so you stay organized and manage your time efficiently. Maybe you need to set specific work hours, plan regular breaks and schedule times for family activities. However, you should be open to adjusting it to accommodate all involved.

You may be awesome at your job and great at being a mom, but you should keep in mind that you really can’t do everything. Some things may have to wait. You need to set realistic goals with work and family responsibilities.

Working from home can be isolating, but it’s important to check in with your coworkers. "Regular check-ins, casual virtual coffee dates, and team-building conversations can help you stay connected."

Some people have a hard time doing this, but doing everything on your own can be equally difficult. Asking for a little help from family members or your team at work is a sign of strength.

It’s easy to focus on the struggles, but you need to acknowledge your achievements and celebrate the win with all involved. This will keep you positive so you have the right mindset for the next day.
For the full article go to CafeMom.com