Are You Prepared For a Winter Power Outage?

Wintertime power outages are often inevitable for many Americans living in areas where ice storms and blizzards run rampant during the winter months, and because we live in an electricity-dependent society, even short-term losses of power can be life-threatening. As such, being prepared in advance for an unexpected power outage is one of the best ways to ensure winter power outage survival.

Even for those fortunate to be living in parts of the country where bad weather or power outages are a rare occurrence, every home should have some sort of disaster preparedness kit ready. Large, inexpensive plastic tubs purchased at a hardware or discount store make excellent storage containers for all of your emergency supplies, and these containers should, at the very least, include items such as:

1. Batteries - Check them regularly to ensure sufficient power.
2. First Aid Kit - Be sure to purchase a comprehensive kit complete with scissors, gloves, antiseptic, gauze, and bandages.
3. Flashlights - Wind-up or shaken flashlights are especially handy in emergency situations because they do not require batteries.
4. Tools - These should include some kind of multi-tool, utility knife, utility lighter, and duct tape.
5. Hand Cranked Radio - While battery-operated varieties will work, also be aware that you will need batteries.
6. Hard-Wired Telephone
7. Warm Clothing - Although this seems obvious, because most of us spend the majority of our time indoors, we are not usually dressed for warmth. For cold weather power outages, providing thermal underwear, warm socks, and several layers of clothing for each member of the family is extremely important.
8. Down-Filled Comforters and Emergency Blankets
9. Food and Water - Don’t forget items like can openers, utensils, pet food, prescription and over-the-counter medications, and baby supplies. At the very least, keep a three-day supply of food and water handy, and include items such as ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables; staples such as sugar, salt, and pepper; and high energy foods such as peanut butter, trail mix, and energy bars. You should also have a minimum of one gallon of water per person per day for drinking purposes only.
10. Water Test Kits - Disaster situations can also result in questionable water due to sediment and microorganisms. Because water is the most important component of any preparedness program, make sure the water you drink is safe.
11. Back-Up Generator - If you can find one within your price range, it can be a life saver in an emergency situation. These can be used to heat cold-weather appliances such as space heaters.

To prepare for long-term power outages, look for devices such as cranking battery and cell phone chargers, as well as lights. In addition, look to solar devices that harness the power of the sun, such as water pumps, lights, and battery chargers, as these can make long-term power outage survival more comfortable.