Frankfurt, 8/25/2003 – Thursday, August 14, 2003: For hours, over fifty million Americans and Canadians were left sitting in the dark. To blame was the largest power failure in the history of the United States and Canada. A blackout of this scale will probably never occur in Europe. But even smaller blackouts can bring your day to a standstill in no time at all. Lights, television, refrigerator – everything depends on electricity. Nevertheless if you're prepared, there's no need to fear the day when the lights go out. Here are seven tips for outsmarting a power failure.

Tip 1: Check Fuses/Circuit Breakers

Not all blackouts are caused by power supply failures. The cause could be due to a problem in your household installation. That's why you should always check your fuses and circuit breakers first.

Tip 2: Check Electronic Devices

A careful inspection of electronic household devices and installations often pays off. Doorbells, shavers, audio devices – all frequently include an additional connector for batteries. This means you can keep them running even without electricity.

Tip 3: Keep a Torch Ready

Because candles can be dangerous, torches are a must-have item in any blackout survival kit. They should be kept with a good supply of brand name batteries in an accessible location where you can easily find them even in the dark. Varta's tip: Never mix old batteries with new ones – your torch won't last as long.

Tip 4: Keep Ventilators or Blankets Handy

A blackout in summer means no more air conditioning. The solution for avoiding excess heat build-ups: battery-operated tabletop ventilators. In winter, on the other hand, a power failure generally knocks out the heating as well. The best way to fight the cold is with blankets, which should also be kept in your automobile as well.

Tip 5: Turn on a Transistor Radio

If your entire region is affected by a power failure, a transistor radio will keep you up-to-date about current developments or public warnings. Here too you should always keep fresh batteries or fully charged battery packs on hand. The Battery Experts recommend that you recharge any rechargeable battery packs every six to twelve months. This way they'll always be ready when you need them.

Tip 6: Keep Cool Bags Ready

Spoiled food is about all you'll get from a refrigerator without electricity. The economical solution: In cool bags cheese, sausages and other cold cuts will keep fresh for hours. Simply keep a couple of icepacks in the freezer so that they are available when you need them.

Tip 7: Set a Battery-Operated Alarm Clock

Your radio alarm clock connected to the mains has stopped – it's time for a battery-operated one. It will help make sure you're on time the morning after the lights go out.

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