There are a lot of things that property owners know they have to prepare for in California. Earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides, droughts – we are a community accustomed to natural disasters and we know how to prepare for them effectively.
Recently, we’ve learned that there are other catastrophes that need our attention. Global pandemics and prolonged power outages, for example.
Preparing for a power outage in San Jose is good for your peace of mind, your tenant’s safety, and your property’s protection. We have some important tips today.
Before the Power Outage: Prepare and Educate Residents
All your residents should have an emergency plan in place, complete with relevant phone numbers, instructions, and resources. You can help them feel more prepared for potential power outages by taking an inventory of all the items in the house that rely on electricity. It’s also important that your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors have battery backups and are installed correctly.
Make the following recommendations to your residents as part of your emergency plan:
- Collect batteries and other alternatives to meet your needs when the power goes out.
- Sign up for alerts and warnings from local governments and agencies. Watch weather reports.
- Review the supplies that are available in case of a power outage and make sure there are flashlights and extra batteries as well as nonperishable food and water.
- Keep a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so that you can know the temperature when the power is restored. Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher.
- Keep mobile phones and other electric equipment charged and gas tanks full.
What to Do During a San Jose Power Outage
During a power outage, you want to reach out to your tenants and find out if they’re in the property and planning to stay. Keep the lines of communication open so you can be sure they are okay and the property is intact.
Help residents avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators, camp stoves, or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows and not inside the property. Counsel them to keep their freezers and refrigerators closed as much as possible. According to government resources, refrigerators can keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Coolers with ice can be helpful.
If the power outage occurs during times of extreme heat or cold and your residents are in a vulnerable population, you’ll want to be especially mindful of their medical needs. If there are local shelters or centers that do have power, they may need to be sent there during a prolonged outage under extreme circumstances.
It’s hard to think about worst-case-scenarios. However, we have had some unusual things to deal with recently, and if there’s anything good that can come of it, it’s that preparation is key. We can help you with emergency planning and anything else pertaining to San Jose property management. Please contact us at Real Estate Connections.
