First of all: A lot of irritating and fear-inducing content and messages are published on social media about this topic. Even the tabloid media are not afraid of scaremongering. Especially on messengers like Telegram, where all sorts of claims are spread without evidence, we recommend that you approach the topic of “blackout” with caution. If you follow most of the expert opinions, then you don't really have to worry.

What might apply in an emergency is a “rotating shutdown.” Here, certain geographical regions are disconnected from the power grid for a planned and limited period of time to avoid a blackout. But this is not a blackout, because it makes a big difference whether an entire country has no electricity at the same time or whether a city or district is temporarily taken off the grid for a few hours.

With the onset of the energy crisis, the risk of a blackout has become more present.

A wide variety of articles are published in the media and documentaries and series on this topic are shown on television. For many people, a blackout is very difficult to imagine because hardly any of us have experienced anything like it before! This is also the reason why society is almost panicking about this issue.

Note: A power outage is not a blackout. A blackout occurs when the power supply fails over a large area and the coordinated creation of sub-grids and the decentralized use of suitable power plants are required to restore the supply. Power outages, such as those that occur after severe storms, are not blackouts. Regional outages can often be resolved within hours, national outages can only be resolved after a few days. A distinction must be made between short-term technical disruptions (10 – 15 minutes) in the power supply.

Telegram and Co are full of false reports and you can always read a date somewhere when a so-called blackout will occur. There was already information at the end of 2021 that “there will soon be nationwide power outages, i.e. a so-called blackout.” (We reported HERE ), and supposedly there should be a blackout in Germany on January 15th, 2020. Back then there were a lot of panic videos with headlines like: “Mega BLACKOUT and CHAOS in GERMANY (2 weeks)?? on January 15, 2020 – WARNING“ . ( HERE )

Lists for disaster preparedness are currently being distributed on social media, especially on the messenger Telegram. These contain typical “sales links” to various petroleum heaters, canned bread and solar power storage systems. A dangerous mix of fake news and conspiracy theories also appears in these Telegram channels. The aim of this toxic mixture: to make readers fall into fear and give them the feeling that they have to order the advertised products directly in order to be prepared for a supposedly inevitable blackout.

So, now take a quick breath and take a step back!

The fact is that since June 2022, sometimes more and sometimes less gas has been flowing from Russia. The situation is quite volatile. Since then, the fear of a blackout has been very present. You can no longer dismiss this as simple paranoia on the part of “preppers”, because even Markus Söder from Germany spoke of a possible blackout in an interview with ARD in July 2022.

What does prepper mean? A prepper is a survivalist, a survivalist; a person who is extremely prepared for disasters. The term “prepper” is derived from the English phrase “to be prepared”, which means “to be prepared”. The term also refers to the English Boy Scout greeting “Be prepared!”, i.e. “Always ready!” or “Be ready!” This refers to people or groups who belong to the social movement of survivalists or survival artists.

In Austria, the then Federal Chancellor Schallenberg also explained during an exercise that the blackout issue was not a scaremongering exercise, but rather a possible crisis, the probability of which should not be underestimated.

But how likely is a blackout?

Each scenario only becomes relevant when there is a certain probability that it will occur at all. There are currently very different estimates as to how likely a blackout is . So the likelihood of a blackout depends on who you ask. Some believe that the probability is not very high, others believe that the probability of a blackout is increasing.

A blackout is a largely unexpected, unpredictable and total failure of the energy supply

It is therefore all the more important to be informed in the event of a sudden emergency and what is most important: keep calm and act thoughtfully!

Are you aware of how dependent we are on electricity? What happens if the power goes out for a longer period of time? The phone is dead, the heating doesn't start, there's no tap water, the computer goes on strike, the coffee machine doesn't work, the light is gone. You can expand the list as you wish. You quickly realize how dependent you are on electrical energy. Power outages are usually resolved in a few hours. But in emergency situations it can sometimes take days until the electricity is available again. For example, if power lines were damaged during a storm or heavy snowfall. Here you will find tips on how you can mitigate the effects of a power outage on yourself and those around you.

If the heating fails

If you have a fireplace or stove, you can have a supply of coal, briquettes or wood. Check whether installing an alternative heating source in your home is possible. Please seek advice from experts. Danger! When using gas-powered heating sources, make sure that the device has safety precautions such as an oxygen deficiency and ignition safety device. Installing a so-called CO alarm increases your safety.

The heating can also be replaced for a while with warm clothing and blankets. If possible, choose a room to stay in and keep the doors closed so that heat cannot escape. However, make sure to ventilate regularly! For example, if you use candles as an alternative light source, regular renewal of the oxygen content in your rooms is important.

When the light goes out

There are several options for alternative light sources if the power goes out. Take precautions and keep different variants in stock:

  • Flashlight: battery-operated (with spare batteries), solar-powered, crank flashlight or LED lights – don’t forget “spare bulbs” or keep several devices on hand to replace defects
  • Candles and matches or lighters
  • Camping or outdoor lamps: battery-operated (with spare batteries), LED lights or kerosene lanterns (have appropriate fuel available)

Whichever variant you choose: always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using it and always make sure that you do not leave open flames unattended. There is a risk of fire! If possible, use fireproof containers, such as lanterns for candles, to reduce the risk of fire.

The kitchen stays cold

You can prepare smaller meals on a camping stove. Or, if you have a garden or balcony, use a garden or table grill that runs on charcoal or gas. Caution! Do not grill in the apartment or house - there is a risk of suffocation! You now have an advantage if you have stocked up on long-life foods that can be eaten cold.

Further tips on power outage prevention

  • Make sure the batteries on your laptops, cell phones, telephones, etc. are charged or have charged replacement batteries on hand.
  • Solar-powered battery chargers or power banks can be helpful in the event of a power outage.
  • Remember to have cash on hand as ATMs will stop working if there is a power outage.
  • Have a battery-operated radio or crank radio on hand so you can listen to government communications in the event of a prolonged power outage.

Tips for putting together a stash

A food and drink supply is something very individual. However, there are some general tips that can help put it together:

  • Food and drink for 10 days. Try to cover this period with your supply. This should generally be enough to bridge the time, even in more difficult situations, until government help arrives or the emergency situation is over. Of course you can also stock up for a longer or shorter period of time, that's your decision. Basically, even just a small supply, for example for three days, is better than no supply.
  • 2 liters of fluid per person per day. A person may be able to go three weeks without food, but only four days without fluids. A supply of drinks is therefore important, even if tap water is rare. For a 10-day supply you should calculate 20 liters per person. It also contains a portion of liquid for cooking (0.5 liters per day). A certain proportion of the supply should therefore also consist of (mineral) water. But fruit juices or drinks that can be stored for longer can also be included.
  • 2,200 kcal per person per day. This usually covers the total energy needs of an adult. Sounds abstract? In our checklist you will find food groups with quantities to help you balance your food supply. Stockpiling larger quantities of a single product is not recommended. You can find specific example tables, including for a vegetarian supply, on the nutritional prevention portal of the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE). There you will also find a supply calculator with which you can easily calculate the needs for you and your family.
  • Only what you like and tolerate. It's not just durability that's important. Take into account allergies, food intolerances or special needs such as baby food, but also personal preferences when putting together your supplies. In any case, you should not create your stock according to the motto “I hope I never need it,” but rather according to the “living stock” principle.
  • Living stock principle. Try to incorporate your stash into your everyday food consumption. This means it is used and renewed again and again without food spoiling. Newly purchased supplies belong at the back of the shelf. Use up the older foods first.
  • Build up little by little. It is not necessary to stock up “in one fell swoop”. You can build it up gradually by getting into the habit of buying an extra pack when you shop for longer-lasting products, such as pasta. Be sure to restock before opening the last pack.
  • Follow storage instructions. You should store food in a cool, dry and dark place. Make sure the packaging is airtight.
  • Don't forget pets. If you have pets, think about their needs too. Make sure you have enough food, bedding, medication and other products your animal needs on hand.

Behavior in the event of a blackout (blackout – the long-term power failure)

A short circuit can occur relatively easily in any household. In most cases, however, the damage can be repaired quickly and the power outage is therefore only short-lived. However, when the power supply fails in large parts of the country, it is called a blackout. A long-term power outage can always have unpleasant consequences and that is precisely why it is important to prepare for this scenario.

Be aware that in the event of a long-term blackout, it may not be possible to purchase food and drinks (cash registers not working, transport logistics collapse, payment by debit/credit card not possible).

Therefore, you should prepare for emergencies and ensure a crisis-proof household:

  • Preparation tip
    Plan like you would for a “fortnight-day camping holiday in your own four walls” – so you also think about everything that you individually need.
  • Agreements in the family
    Who are the people who will help each other in the event of a blackout or are dependent on help? Discuss with family members now how to behave in a blackout situation (e.g. where to meet if the phones don't work, who will pick who up, who will look after family members who need help (children or people in need of care), etc .). Which people outside the family (neighbors, friends, etc.) could help out or who in the area could need help?
  • Food and drink supplies
    Make sure you have a supply of drinks (mineral water, fruit juices) as well as a food supply for all family members and for at least 14 days.
    Drink supplies are often underestimated; some experts recommend keeping 35 liters per person. Think together about what special food you and your family need (diabetics, babies, pets, etc.)? Either you use up the stored food regularly and buy more regularly, or you create a special disaster protection stockpile. This should be stored cool, dry and protected from vermin and ideally checked annually (e.g. checking the expiry date). The contents of the freezer should not be used primarily as storage, as perishable foods can no longer be refrigerated in the event of a power outage.
  • Replacement lighting
    Candles, igniters, lighter, flashlight with replacement batteries, kerosene flashlight - please note that unfamiliar handling of open fire can lead to fires and proceed with caution.
  • Replacement cooking facilities
    : dry alcohol or denatured alcohol, camping stove, fondue cooker - please note that unfamiliar handling of an open fire can lead to fires and proceed with appropriate caution.
  • Reception equipment
    Crank radio or battery radio with spare batteries, also think about your car radio
  • First aid – civil defense pharmacy,
    bandages, important and personally prescribed medication, etc.
  • Money
    To stock up in the event of a crisis, it is advisable to have at home The Austrian National Bank recommends keeping approximately twice the amount of a week's daily shopping (or up to 100 euros per household member) well secured in low denominations. This means that payment transactions can be carried out even if electronic payment options are out of service for a long period of time.
  • Hygiene items
    : toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, sanitary towels or tampons, heavy-duty detergent, trash bags, cleaning products
  • Emergency power supply
    Emergency power generators are available with outputs ranging from less than one kilowatt to several hundred kilowatts
  • Alternative heating options
    Heaters that run on petroleum or bottled gas, tiled stoves, fireplaces, etc. - please note that unfamiliar handling of open fire can lead to fires and proceed with caution.

CONCLUSION:

If you go by the majority of expert opinions, then you don't have to worry about a blackout.

What could hit us, however, is a “rotating shutdown.” Here, certain parts of the load are disconnected from the system for a certain period of time, which is planned. But this is not a blackout, because it makes a big difference whether an entire country has no electricity at the same time or whether a city or district is temporarily taken off the grid for a few hours. But how likely is a blackout?

Each scenario only becomes relevant when there is a certain probability that it will occur at all.

There are currently very different estimates as to how likely a blackout is. So the likelihood of a blackout depends on who you ask. Some are convinced that the probability is not very high, others are of the opinion that the probability of a blackout is increasing. The fact is that none of us can prepare for such scenarios because such a scenario happens without warning. It is therefore all the more important to be informed in the event of a sudden emergency and what is most important: keep calm and act thoughtfully!

Also read:

Associations warn against mass use of fan heaters
Gas shortage: Are direct heating systems an alternative?
Electric heaters: cheap to buy, expensive to operate.
Fan heaters are not your salvation!
More and more people are looking for solutions on how to heat a room as gas prices rise! The fact is: the tea light oven is NOT such a solution!


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