Power outages across Spain and Portugal affected millions. How to prepare for a major blackout

By JUSTIN SPIKE Associated Press BUDAPEST Hungary AP An unprecedented blackout across Spain and Portugal upended the lives of millions across the Iberian Peninsula a stark reminder of modern society s reliance on electricity and how hurriedly life can descend into chaos when the grid goes down Power was nearly absolutely restored across the region on Tuesday but the cause of the previous day s blackout remains unclear For those affected the experience will likely leave a lasting impression and raise questions on how to respond if another emergency emerges While such widespread failures of power grids are rare having a plan for how to react to such an event and how to prepare ahead of time can make a major difference in staying safe and managing the disruption if the lights go out What should I do if the power goes down A general power outage affects everyone whether they are at home at work or on the move As in Spain and Portugal electric trains trolleys and subway systems can stop in their tracks and strand passengers while traffic lights can go down turning roads into a snarl of gridlock Related Articles In the modern day in History April Monica Seles attacked during tennis match PHOTOS Documenting the fall of Saigon in photos Iraq detains Islamic State suspect accused of helping to incite New Orleans truck-ramming attack Senate confirms former Sen David Perdue as Trump s US ambassador to China amid tariff showdown Prince William s maneuvering helped spur Trump-Zelenskyy meeting No matter where you are when the power goes down your first priority should be to remain calm and tend to your majority of immediate requirements like food water and shelter and develop a plan for how you can get to a safe place and connect with your loved ones According to the American Red Cross unnecessary journey especially by car should be avoided during a power outage Without traffic lights roads may become congested or hazardous increasing the liability of becoming stranded If you are at home exercise caution when using candles or gas lanterns for light because of the peril of fire and noxious gases like carbon monoxide Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights if available but conserve batteries to extend their working life Turn off any unnccesary electronics and unplug appliances such as ovens or stoves that were in use when the power went out If the power comes back on surges can damage equipment and appliances can be hazardous if allowed to run unattended If the outage lasts for more than a scant hours you ll want to ensure the food you have on hand doesn t spoil According to emergency guidelines published by the Estonian ruling body refrigerators and freezers should be opened only briefly to preserve the cold Use perishable food from the fridge first followed by items in the freezer then nonperishables How do I prepare my home for a power outage Preparedness be it psychological or real preparedness in scenario of problem is a key factor in successfully managing disruptive events Argo Kerb from the Estonian Rescue Board a authorities agency advised The Associated Press As concerns grow around the world over instability stemming from armed conflict political discord and weather change a great number of governments are prioritizing emergency preparedness among their populations Passengers react as they wait for news of train departures at Sants train station in Barcelona Spain Tuesday April AP Photo Emilio Morenatti In March the European Union urged all million residents of the -nation bloc to stockpile food water and other essentials to last at least hours as war cyberattacks context change and complaint increase the chances of a predicament According to Kerb Preparedness is a shared responsibility It s a shared responsibility in a family in a country but it s also a shared responsibility in Europe and the world While long-lasting power outages such as the one in Spain and Portugal are relatively uncommon having a sparse basic supplies on hand can make a substantial difference in how safely and comfortably they can be endured The EU recommends food water flashlights ID papers medicine and shortwave radios as things to have at home Matches or lighters chargers and a power bank for your devices are also recommended In a sign of how critical access to information can be in an emergency battery-powered radios flew off the shelves in Spain and Portugal as internet and cellphone services went down Keeping a supply of batteries and a battery powered or hand-crank radio will help keep you connected to vital information when internet and television services are down People queue for petrol in Lisbon Tuesday April the day after a nationwide power outage that shut down gas stations trains and subways AP Photo Armando Franca If you re caught without these items during a emergency you ll need to buy them but outages can leave electronic payments unavailable You ll want to make sure you keep a reasonable quantity of cash on hand As European commissioner for emergency management Hadja Lahbib noted in a contemporary video urging preparedness In the middle of a predicament cash is king and your credit card might just be a piece of plastic In a brochure provided to every household in Sweden In Matter of Dilemma or War the Swedish regime says each person will need at least three liters nearly a gallon of water per day for drinking and cooking which should be stored at home in bottles or other containers It also recommends keeping extra warm bedding like sleeping bags and blankets on hand in occurrence services are interrupted during cold weather If you have a portable generator strictly follow its instructions and never run it indoors or in enclosed spaces as it produces lethal carbon monoxide gas Plug the devices you want to power directly into the generator and never attempt to wire it to your home s electrical system Emma Burrows contributed to this overview from London