Nearly everything we do at home requires electricity, from cooking to communicating to keeping ourselves entertained. It’s easy to forget how much we depend on electricity—until there’s an outage. Before a winter storm takes out your electricity, do what you …
Power outages can be difficult to weather any time of year, but frigid temperatures without a working heater can be hard on both you and your home. So, when a winter storm gets on your radar, there’s no time to lose. Start preparing for inclement weather today, and you’ll be in the best shape for whenever winter snowfall suddenly takes a turn for the worst.
Stock Up on Batteries
Make sure you have a good supply of batteries (and if they’re a reliable rechargeable set, that they’re fully charged!) in a range of sizes for all your emergency needs. Have spares ready for your flashlights and radios as well as for your smoke detectors, clocks, and other appliances that run on battery backup.
Check Your Flashlights and Radios
Ensure that your flashlights and portable radios are in working order, and purchase replacement or supplemental ones if necessary. Trusty flashlights and radios are vital during power outages. Don’t plan on using candles; flashlights are safer. And a battery-powered radio will keep you connected to emergency and evacuation alerts when the television isn’t an option.
Get a Full Tank of Gas
Always fill up the tank before a big storm hits. Gas station pumps run on electricity, so if the power goes out gasoline will not be available. Don’t get stuck with an empty tank!
Buy a Car Charger for Your Cellphone
You probably already keep a cellphone charger in your car, but having one is especially important when the power goes out. You’ll need a charged phone so you can make calls and stay connected with news and information. With a car charger, you’ll be able to keep your phone working even if the power stays off for an extended period of time.
Get an Old-School Phone
If you have a landline, it’s worth keeping an old corded phone in a closet somewhere. Modern phones that plug into wall outlets will not work in a power outage, and having access to a usable landline will help you conserve your cellphone battery.
Keep Sufficient Heating Fuel on Hand
Consider how you will stay warm if the power goes out. Even a gas-powered furnace requires electricity to run the fan that sends warm air through the vents. If you have a gas fireplace, consider installing a battery backup for the starter if it doesn’t already have one. If you have a wood stove, stock up on firewood. Do not use a propane heater inside the home unless it is specifically designed for indoor use; carbon monoxide can build up and create a deadly hazard.
Stock Up on Water
If you have a municipal water supply, the water will keep flowing. But if you have a well, the pump won’t work without electricity. When a heavy storm is predicted, stock up on drinking water, and fill up the bathtub and washing machine so you’ll have enough water for washing and for flushing the toilets.
Think About Your Food
Consider how you would prepare food without electricity. If you have gas appliances, you should be able to light them with a match, even when the electricity is out. But if you have an electric stovetop and oven, you’ll be out of luck. You can, however, use a propane grill or an open fire to cook outdoors. If that’s your plan, stock up on propane or wood. And make sure you have a manual can opener!
Turn Down the Temp in Your Fridge
Lower the temperature of your refrigerator and freezer before the storm hits, then if the power goes out they’ll both stay cooler longer, increasing the chance your food will last. Consider moving perishables like milk and meat into the freezer so they’ll stay colder, and to conserve the cold air inside, avoid opening the refrigerator doors.
Stock Up on Nonperishable Foods
In the event of a long-term power outage, you may run out of fresh food. Or you might find that you’re not able to cook anything. Stock up on nonperishable foods like nut butter, canned fruit and juices, granola bars, and crackers to keep yourself nourished, just in case you can’t cook or your fresh food has run out or spoiled.
Protect Your Pipes
Your pipes are in danger of freezing and bursting in a power outage, especially if they aren’t sufficiently insulated. If you’re concerned your pipes may freeze, shut off the main water valve in your home and open all the faucets until the pipes are empty. If you don’t know where the main shut-off valve is, find out before the next storm hits.
Weathering the Storm
Prepare now, so you’re not scrambling as a storm bears down. Make sure you have good Home owner’s Insurance with Mountaineer Insurance Services.