Ah, summer. Barbecues, pool parties, the entire neighborhood running their air conditioners at once, big thunderstorms knocking down power lines...okay, maybe those last two things aren’t that great, but for much of the country (especially us here in Michigan) they’re just as consistent in summertime as the fun parts are. If you’re worried about getting caught off guard during a brownout or power outage, here’s a few tips to keep in mind to help beat the heat until the lights come back on: Plan early. We know not everyone looks at the weather as far ahead as maybe they ought to, but if you live in a state that tends to have a good amount of rainfall or heatwaves (as that leads to greater air conditioner usage, which leads to...well, you know) then it’s always a good call to keep an eye on the weather and prepare accordingly. Organize your pantry. We all know it’s good to keep canned goods around in the event of a power outage to avoid opening the fridge and to make sure non-perishables stay fresh during the outage. If you’ve got the space, you should consider getting a kitchen cabinet organizer specifically devoted to hanging onto your ‘blackout supplies’ so you can easily find them in an outage - and to make sure nobody accidentally eats them! Make (or buy) extra ice. When you know there’s a storm brewing, try to get some extra bagged ice at the store or just make it yourself and store it in some sandwich baggies. This will help keep your perishables at a safe temperature for longer, and will hopefully prevent more food from spoiling. Know where your supplies are. Chances are you’ve got some flashlights, candles, and the like put together - but it isn’t going to do much good if you can’t find it! Get some wire shelving or some garage storage and keep all of your blackout supplies together, clearly labeled, and easily accessible. It’s going to be pretty dark in there, after all. Don’t forget the grill! You know, if you’re stuck with the power out, you might as well find something to do - AND it’s a convenient way to heat food! There’s a surprising number of things that can be cooked on a grill, and your grill won’t be affected by the power outage so you know you can depend on it. (Just don’t leave the fridge open when you’re trying to find the hot dogs - you really need to keep it cold until the power comes back!)