Travel Problems: What To Do When The Power Goes Out

Being in a foreign country, or even an unfamiliar location in the States, is often not an ideal time for a power outage. Unfortunately, it’s something that can occur, but also something you can be prepared for.

If the power outage occurs due to internal issues, your hotel may transfer you to a different property and comp your stay. However, if the power outage is due to inclement weather, it may be safer for you to stay put at your current accommodations, depending upon the severity of the situation.

Regardless, a good practice upon settling into your hotel room is to locate an emergency flashlight. Many hotels keep these in the top drawer of the nightstand or in the closet. It’s always good to know where it’s located, just in case.

Another good practice is to be sure you’re prepared — always keep your phone as charged as possible while traveling. Even if you do not experience a power outage that requires you to use your phone, it can still come in handy in other emergency situations. The last thing you want to find in a crucial moment is that your phone has died.

After you have a stable source of light to find your way about, locate each member of your party and stick together to ensure no one gets lost. Then, find a member of the hotel staff. They should be able to give you further instructions as to what to do. If you are not transferred to another hotel, you may be asked to stay in your room or be moved to a common area with the rest of the guests.

Most important, however, is to keep a clear head and make safe decisions for both yourself and your group!