The very active hurricane season this year has left millions of people without power. The loss of power affects us in many ways, including communication and productivity. Here are some technology tools that will help you keep communication lines open and be more productive during power outages.
Portable USB Battery:
A good portable USB battery is a must during a power outage. It is especially important if the outage is due to a natural disaster, such as a hurricane. These little boxes of electricity will keep your phone charged for at least 2 days, allowing you to communicate with family, friends, and emergency personnel. You can find them on Amazon for $40. They are also commonly bundled into new phone packages by cellular carriers.
Power inverter:
Power inverters are great if you need to run bigger devices, such as laptops, televisions, hot plates, and electric heaters. These power converters convert the DC power of your car battery into an AC-like power source similar to the wall outlets in your home. They can connect to your car battery via the fuse box, 12v accessory socket, or directly to the battery itself. The price on these inverters ranges from $50-$400.
Hand crank radio:
If your power supplies run out or your car battery is under water, you will need this nifty gadget to ensure you are still well-informed in the midst of the situation. Hand crank radios can run on batteries as well as the hand crank, making them invaluable in a crisis. They also can receive AM and FM signals so you can listen to some tunes while you wait for any evacuation notices. You can find them on Amazon for $30-$100.
When your city runs out of power, you do not have to. Grab the portable USB battery, couple it with the power converter, and show your neighbors how to handle a crisis with style! You will be chatting with your friends and catching up on your favorite TV show while your neighbors stare with envy. Also, be sure to have the hand crank radio as a backup in case of any emergency notices.
Tony Coughlin
With multiple years of experience in customer service across many industries, Tony brings his upbeat and positive attitude to the Network 1 team. He is committed to delivering the right solutions and services for clients and business partners.
tcoughlin@network1consulting.com or 404.997.7655
Network 1 Consulting is a 19-year-old, IT Support company in Atlanta, GA. We become – or augment – the IT department for law firms and medical practices. Our IT experts can fix computers, but what our clients value most are the industry-specific best practices we bring to their firms. This is especially important with technology, along with regulations and cyber threats, changing so rapidly. We take a proactive approach to helping our clients use technology to gain and keep their competitive advantage.
