Blackout - what to do?

Blackout - what to do?

“The danger of a blackout must not be underestimated,” warns Bruno Hofbauer, and the current Ukraine crisis proves him right. After all, a large part of the gas imported from Russia is used in Austria to generate electricity. Experts expect a blackout within the next five years. If the supply of electrical energy collapses, it will take some time before the technical emergency measures take effect. “It will probably take at least a day before power supply is available everywhere in Austria again,” says Hofbauer. For all of Europe it is expected to take around a week. That doesn't sound dramatic, but it will take several more days for cell phones, landlines and the Internet to work again. Only then can the supply of essential goods begin again.

The major general therefore advises, if possible, to stock up on supplies for at least two weeks. “Plan like you would for a 14-day camping holiday in your own four walls,” recommends Hofbauer. Below is a rough checklist:

• Radio mit Batterien
• Taschen- bzw. Stirnlampen
• Ersatzbatterien
• Kerzen, Zünder, Feuerlöscher,
• Kohlenmonoxid-Melder
• Wasser (2 Liter pro Person und Tag für 3 – 5 Tage)
• Getränke, Tee, Kaffee
• Haltbare Lebensmittel für 2 Wochen (Nudeln, Reis, Konserven)
• Wichtige Medikamente für 2 Wochen
• Erste-Hilfe-Ausrüstung
• Hygieneartikel, Müllsäcke, Klebebänder, Kabelbinder
• Gaskocher, Griller, Brennpaste
• Bargeld in kleinen Scheinen und Münzen
• Schlafsäcke, Decken, warme Kleidung
• Spiele, Blöcke, Kugelschreiber
• Auto immer halb vollgetankt

"More than many people realize, our lives are massively dependent on an intact power supply. This is even more the case in urban areas than in rural areas," says Hofbauer. A blackout affects all networked infrastructure that depends on the power supply, such as telephones, cell phones, the Internet, ATMs, payment systems, gas stations, traffic lights, tunnels, rail traffic, many public transport, elevators and elevators. This also means that the supply of food, hygiene products or medication is no longer available. In some cases, problems with water supply and wastewater disposal must also be expected. In your own household, lighting, cooling devices and most heating systems are particularly affected. Emergency calls can no longer be made. In cities, the failure of traffic lights can lead to traffic chaos. “It is important that we can only overcome such a crisis together and that it depends on each and every one of us to overcome the serious consequences of a blackout,” said the major general. The barracks of the Austrian Federal Army are self-sufficient in energy supply and can offer protection and help in the event of a blackout.