Winter Storm Warning: What to Do When the Lights Go Out

Preparing for unexpected power outages during winter is important so you’ll be better prepared for those long, cold hours of going without the modern conveniences we’ve all grown accustomed to.

What should you do to better equip yourself in the event that your electricity suddenly goes out?

Stock your home with essentials throughout the whole winter because it’s not just power outages that are likely to happen this time of year. Ice storms, heavy winds, or blizzards emerge as well.

It’s a good idea to have what you need when these circumstances arise. The main things you need to have around is extra food and water. Think of items you can eat that doesn’t require heating, like peanut butter, nuts, granola bars, chips, etc.

Fill at least a few 1 gallon containers full of water so that you have this to keep you and your family hydrated.

Have several flashlights and batteries on hand. Candles pose the threat of fire and aren’t the best source of extra supplies for emergency preparedness. Part of survival is having things that will last …  and candles won’t last that long.

If you don’t have a battery-powered radio, purchase one. When access to a television isn’t an option, a small radio that will keep you informed is a good alternative. You can be apprised of any warnings, evacuation orders, or status updates on power outages.

Lastly, to prepare for an unexpected power outage, buy a car cell phone charger. It’s vital to keep phone fully charged. The phone can be charged by using the cigarette lighter or auxiliary plug in your car as a supplement source of power. Another good tip is to consider having an alternate landline phone for your home, which tends to be unaffected during power outages.

Follow these main tips in emergency preparedness and you’ll be far more comfortable while waiting for the electricity to come back on!

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