Complete blackout also possible in Germany: the Federal Office makes a recommendation

Created: 08/15/2022, 05:02

By: Victoria Maiwald

If you hit the light switch and nothing happens, it can be scary.

In the event that the power goes out for a longer period of time, citizens should be prepared.

Dortmund – lights out.

fridge off.

power off.

Blackout.

The idea can be frightening considering how much actually depends on our electrical grid.

In the event of an emergency, however, citizens can prepare themselves and get by for a few days without electricity.

RUHR24 provides tips for emergencies.

Power failure in Germany: Federal Office gives important tips for emergencies

The quality of the German power grid is considered very good and the power supply is secure.

However, exceptional situations can still arise.

Experts warn of regional power outages due to mass sales of fan heaters, which many consumers have already secured because of the gas crisis.

But severe storms can also damage the power lines and cause darkness.

And even if the power grid in Germany is considered secure, it doesn't hurt to prepare for an emergency.

The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) has therefore put together tips for power emergencies.

Blackout affects heating, lights, food and communications

Power outages are usually resolved within a few hours.

But if it takes longer, maybe even several days, the following areas are particularly affected at home: heating, light, food, communication.

Many Germans are worried about the gas crisis, especially with a view to winter.

But even if the power goes out, it remains cold in many households.

The BBK has the following tips for this:

• If you have a fireplace or stove, you should generally stock up on coal, briquettes or wood.

  So you are prepared for emergencies anyway.

• In extreme cases, warm clothes and blankets can replace the heating for a while.

• In addition, the people in the household should stay in one room, the doors and windows should remain closed so that the heat cannot escape.

  But: You should still air the room regularly, especially if candles are used as a light source.

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Don't sit in the dark during a power failure: light sources can also be dangerous

Not to be underestimated when the power goes out: light.

Especially in the darker winter months we are dependent on light sources.

The BBK gives the following tips:

• The classic is of course the flashlight.

  And that doesn't mean the lamp on the smartphone - the battery should be saved here if possible.

  Enough batteries should be kept ready for the flashlight.

  But solar or crank flashlights are also suitable.

• Candles and enough matches/lighters also light up the room.

  Please remember to be careful with open flames and ventilate the room regularly.

• Camping or outdoor lamps are also useful.

Food supply and water bridge the day-long blackout

If the power goes out for several days, finding food can become problematic.

Supermarkets are closed, the refrigerator gives up the ghost, the food inside spoils, the stove doesn't work and the biggest problem: After a certain time, the water stops flowing from the tap.

Care must be taken here:

• Warm meals can be prepared on a camping stove or on the garden or table grill.

  But be careful: You shouldn't grill in the apartment or in the house, there is a risk of suffocation!

• In general, the BBK advises to create an emergency supply of food and drinking water, which should supply you for ten days.

• The supply includes, among other things, two liters of water per person per day (this already includes liquid for cooking), long-life foods such as grain products, bread, potatoes, vegetables, fruit or legumes in cans, nuts, long-life milk.

  In general, consumers have an advantage if they stock food that can also be eaten cold.

In addition to durable food, the food supply also includes a water supply.

© Jochen Tack/Imago

Stay up to date despite a power failure: operate your smartphone without electricity from the socket

If the power outage lasts longer, it is important to be able to keep up to date.

Laptops, smartphones and radios can also be operated without electricity from the socket.

With the right preparation:

• The device batteries should be charged, and charged replacement batteries or power banks should be available.

• Solar powered battery chargers can offer a crucial advantage in such an emergency situation.

  If the power bank is used up, it can continue to supply electricity.

• If there are several smartphones in the household, only one should be used and the other switched off to save the battery.

  The display brightness should also be turned down.

• If there is currently no network anyway, the smartphone can be put into flight mode, which saves battery.

  In the meantime, you can manually check whether the network is available again.

• With a battery-operated radio or a crank radio, you can keep up to date with the recording situation and follow notifications from the authorities.

It can also make sense to have a certain amount of cash in the house, because the ATMs won't work without electricity.

With these tips, consumers should be able to survive without electricity for a while until government help arrives or the emergency situation is over.