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Drought and other factors squeezing the supply of electricity can increase the risk of blackouts.

Andrew Blok has been an associate editor at CNET covering HVAC and home energy, with a focus on solar since October 2021. As an environmental journalist, he navigates the changing energy landscape to help people make smart energy decisions. He's a graduate of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism at Michigan State and wrote for several publications in the Great Lakes region, including Great Lakes Now and Environmental Health News since 2019. You can find him in western Michigan watching birds.

This story is part of Home Tips , CNET's collection of practical advice for getting the most out of your home, inside and out.

A higher than normal risk of blackouts this summer  was in the forecast this summer for much of North America, from the Midwest to the West Coast and north to Saskatchewan. And while major disruptions haven't yet materialized, there's still a chunk of summer left. Warmer than normal temperatures can drive up energy demand while lower-than-normal precipitation drives down hydroelectricity supply, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation reported back in May. When demand and supply aren't balanced, blackouts can occur.

To avoid a blackout, utilities can reduce demand or increase supply , and you can do both  at home. If blackouts do occur, a generator , portable power station  or solar panels with the right equipment can keep your lights on and your fridge cold. Even without backup power, you can take steps to make an outage as painless and safe as possible.

Preparing to save summertime energy can pay off, too. Save energy by cooking differently , taking advantage of all that daylight and setting your thermostat to the right temperature . Learn how your phone can help in other summertime disasters, too.

The potential for blackouts isn't evenly spread, NERC reported. In a May report, the nonprofit identified two risk levels for blackouts -- elevated and high -- for the regional organizations responsible for operating the grid. An elevated risk means there's a chance that demand could exceed supply during periods of higher-than-normal demand. NERC identified an elevated risk of blackouts for the western North America, from Washington south to northern Baja California, east to Texas and north to include most of North and South Dakota. Saskatchewan has an elevated risk, too.

Much of North America is at an elevated or high risk of blackouts this summer.

One of these regions -- the Midcontinent Independent System Operator -- has a high risk, which means there's a chance that demand could exceed supply during normal peak conditions, such as a hot afternoon when a lot of air conditioners are running. MISO covers parts of the Dakotas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana and Texas. It also covers most of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana and Michigan. And it includes all of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

While many of the reasons for this potential energy crunch have to do with weather and infrastructure, another is rising demand. (The report doesn't mention climate change . It does cite extreme weather , wildfires and higher than normal temperatures, however, all of which climate change affects.) NERC said that peak power demand is projected to go up 1.7% from last year. People in the region can directly affect demand, and it's not uncommon for utilities and regulators to ask residents to curb their electricity usage. A few ways to save electricity and money are unplugging appliances , adjusting your thermostat and weatherstripping your windows .

Read more: How to Save Money Around Your Home: 27 Simple Tips

If blackouts do occur in your area this summer, there are a few things you can do beforehand to prepare.

Blackouts are disruptive, plain and simple. Those disruptions could range from something as minor as an interrupted TV show to as life-threatening as a temperature-sensitive medicine going bad.

Most people grew up doing fire drills in school. Earthquake drills are expected on the West Coast. Tornado drills throughout the Midwest and South are regular occurrences. While blackouts pose less of an immediate danger, you can take a few steps to make sure you're as safe as can be.

The Department of Energy recently published a list of some things to have on hand for blackout preparation. That list is below, with a few additions.

After the power comes back, the hard part is over, but you'll need to dispose of any spoiled food or medicine. With food, it's best to err on the side of caution. Throw things away if they've been unrefrigerated (above 40 degrees) for two or more hours, the Department of Homeland Security says. (The department runs the website Ready.gov with tips to prepare for almost any kind of disaster.) With medicines, it's best to consult with your doctor.

A blackout is bound to bring some sort of inconvenience, but managing that inconvenience and staying safe is possible with just a bit of preparation.