Tega Cay has been flickering in and out of darkness lately, with a recent surge of power outages disrupting routines and ruffling feathers. Whether it’s a rogue squirrel tripping a line or a line blown by Mother Nature’s tantrums, these blackouts are a frustrating reality we’ve all got to face. But fear not, fellow citizens, for we can weather this storm – with a little preparation and some handy tips.
Firstly, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room: computers and other precious electronics deserve better than the unceremonious shutdowns these outages deliver. That’s where a sturdy uninterruptible power supply (UPS) steps in like a knight in shining armor. A UPS acts as a battery backup, giving you precious minutes (or even hours) to gracefully shut down your equipment and avoid potential data loss or hardware damage. A UPS can power your cable modem and router for close to an hour or more, so it keeps the Internet running during short outages. Remember, prevention is always better than a frantic scramble with a flashlight later!
In addition to a UPS, it is good idea to have a small power bank in case your cell phone is low on charge. This will allow you to charge your cell phone during a power outage. The cell phone companies have one a good job of keeping cell service powered during outages, so you still have phone service. 
Now, beyond the techie stuff, let’s get practical. Stock up on essentials like flashlights, candles, and batteries – the holy trinity of outage preparedness. Don’t forget a battery-powered radio to stay informed about the situation and tune into updates on restoration times. Speaking of which, bookmarking your local power company’s outage map on your phone (before the power goes out, of course) can be a lifesaver.
Another great piece of equipment to purchase are small LED lanterns. They run on AA batteries and provide hours of bright light. They are inexpensive and easy to store in a closet for an emergency.
Another helpful trick: charge your essential devices (phones, laptops) beforehand. A phone with a full battery becomes your lifeline – for communication, light, and maybe even a game of Candy Crush to combat the outage blues. Speaking of boredom, dust off those board games hidden in the closet – rediscover the joys of human interaction (and competitive spirit) by candlelight. It’s a chance to unplug from the digital world and reconnect with loved ones in a truly analog way.
Remember, while we can’t control the power grid, we can control our own preparedness. So let’s embrace the spirit of community, share resources, and keep our cool (literally) during these temporary blackouts. And who knows, maybe a game of charades by candlelight will become our new post-outage tradition. After all, in the face of darkness, it’s our resilience and resourcefulness that truly shine.
Stay safe, Tega Cay! We’ll weather this storm together, one UPS, flashlight, and board game at a time.
