Power outage questions

[Marie5656]

When we got home from work today we found out power was out, due to a thunderstorm that had passed through not long before we got home. We guessed it had not been out long, as the living room was still cool from the AC, but I would guess it was out about 15-20 minutes. I went to the freezer, got an icepack, and wrapped it in a towel and put it rught in with Trixie. That just happened to be the first thing I could grab as I did not want to leave the freezer open long. Trixie came down from her perch and sat right on it, seemed really comfortable. Luckily, the power cam back on about 40 minutes later.
This is only the second time we have lost power in the 4 years we have had her.
Now I am worried about what to do, if this should happen in the future, and be out for a longer period before we get home. The neighbors we are friendly with work during the day as well, so there is no one who could check on her if the power goes off. There is one person who is home during the day, but she is a bit of a *****, and I would not trust her with a house key.
Has any one had a power outage when they hav not been at home? How do you prepare for that?

 

[BooBoo*TheKiddo*]

MOst of the power outages that we've had were when we were home. In that case, if its out for most than 5 minutes, I call and report the outage. If it starts getting to warm, ice packs in fleece bag like covers go into the cages for the chins. If its still not back on and the temp. continues to rise, we get the gas powered generated out and run an extension cord from the a/c in the chins room to the door in the dining room (right beside the chins room) The generated turns the a/c back on. =]

As for when we're not home, I have a friend who lives near us and if shes home and the power goes out she makes sure to let me know. If not, then the neighbor calls and lets me know. =] If my powers out, then so is theirs.

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

I, too, am very fortunate to have a retired neighbor who is home most of the time.

My agreement with her is if the power goes off and stays off for more than 1/2 hour, she can call me at work and I can be home in 10 minutes to scoop up the boys and head to Alameda East (less than a mile from me) to stow them until it comes back on.

 

[Heku]

It seems a few times a summer here our power goes out. I also use icepacks, if it gets too hot I swich out ice packs, or relocate her to the basement where it can stay cool for an elongated amount of time. she loves it down there. This is a good question, can't wait to hear the other responses

 

[Marie5656]

I, too, am very fortunate to have a retired neighbor who is home most of the time.

My agreement with her is if the power goes off and stays off for more than 1/2 hour, she can call me at work and I can be home in 10 minutes to scoop up the boys and head to Alameda East (less than a mile from me) to stow them until it comes back on.

Thanks for he feed back. You live near the "famous" Alameda East? I know it from the Vet how on TV. Is Dr Fitzgerald still there? I always wished I lived neat there, they seemed so good with exotics from the TV show.

 

[Marie5656]

I am bumping this for no other reason than what with the heatwave here in the northeast, there have already been power failures..and figured this would help the newer folks. Luckily I am on vacation for the next 10 days, so I will be home if I have to move Trixie out for a while. My regular vet is nearby..and there is an emergency vet a few miles away, so I am set.

 

[mercynursie]

Just this spring I ordered one of the FreezeAlarms. I made sure that I got the one that you can set an alarm range for High temps. It notifies up to three numbers if my chin room temp goes over 78 degrees and/or if power is off for longer than 10 minutes. There is no monthly monitor fee, it has battery backup and IT WORKS. Already my system has alerted me twice on power outages and one on high temp(ac froze up).It's so easy to set up I did it with no help and I suffer from permanent technology impairment.

 

[Sandi]

I'm lucky that I have a lot of family close by as well as trusted neighbors. I'd say 95% of the time though someone is always home in the summer, so if any power outtages should happen I'd know about it right away. My plan is once the basement reaches 70-72 degrees (which has never happened) and the power hasn't come back on, I put all my chins in their separate carriers and off we go to a family members house or a hotel that has air conditioning.