The worst-case scenario for a winter comes when a winter storm takes out your electricity, the outside temperature drops sharply, and the temperature inside your home quickly drops. Although we typically associate exposure to extreme cold with someone caught in a car during a blizzard or hiking during a sudden snowstorm, the truth is that exposure to extreme cold may be deadly even indoors.
Your house can soon get dangerously chilly if you don’t have a generator, woodstove, or fireplace to provide heat. So, grab a cozy blanket, your favorite hot beverage and read on for my list of 25 tips for staying as warm as possible in your house before, during and after a winter power outage:
1. Weatherproof Your Home.
Fall is the ideal season to begin preparing for winter at your house. Preparing your house for the impending severe winter storms is always a good idea.
Starting with the windows and doors, insulate them as part of your weatherproofing effort. Next, install attic insulation to stop heat from escaping your home through the roof.
Look for missing or broken shingles on your roof and repair them if needed. Additionally, clear the gutters to stop the building of ice dams. Because they can cause water to back up in your home, ice dams can cause serious harm.
If you plan to use a wood-burning fireplace to stay warm during a blackout, be sure everything is set up and operating properly. Thoroughly clean the fireplace and check for damage to the gasket and chimney. Make sure you have enough wood on hand to last the entire duration as well.
2. Check Flashlights and Stock up on Batteries.
You should keep lighting options on hand in case of a winter storm power loss. Candles or flashlights can be used, but the latter is the safer alternative. Check to see whether your flashlights are in good working order; replace them if necessary, and stock up on batteries.
Keep extra batteries on hand for your smoke detector, radio, and any other gadgets that may require them.
3. Ensure that you have an Emergency Kit within reach.
Regardless of the type of emergency that arises, having an emergency kit in your house or apartment is crucial. You can put a lot of different items in an emergency kit, and the contents will vary based on what you need. These are a few items of emergency supplies to think about:
- Warm clothes, hand warmers, coats, and blankets
- Non-perishable food (granola bars, dried fruit, etc.) and MREs (meal, ready-to-eat)
- Water in bottles
- First aid kit
- Radio powered by batteries
- Fuel/Gas
- A set of clothing for each household member in case changing is needed
- Personal hygiene products, necessary prescription drugs, or medical supplies
4. Invest in a Generator.
If you are concerned that you might lose power during a future storm, a generator might be a very wise purchase. Generators come in two varieties: portable and standby.
A backup generator can back up your complete house or just the most important things; it is hooked into your home’s electrical system.
They are less priced and portable, allowing for easy relocation. You’ll be able to use necessary appliances like a space heater or refrigerator. Since natural gas or propane power generators, you would need to stockpile the fuel.
Important to note: Never run a generator inside your house. They must be positioned at least 20 feet apart from your house. During an outage, the risks of electric shock, fire, and carbon monoxide poisoning are present. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas. Keep generators away from vents, doors, and windows that could let carbon monoxide inside.
Put functional carbon monoxide detectors in each floor of your house. You, your loved ones, and your pets could all perish from carbon monoxide.
Make sure the generator is dry and shielded from moisture or floods. Electrical shock can occur if you come into contact with a wet generator or any connected gadgets.
5. Keep Your Pipes Safe.
Your home’s pipes run the risk of freezing and bursting throughout the winter. This is not only very inconvenient and damaging, but it also drains your bank account.
The best defense against pipes freezing during a blackout is insulation. It’s also a good idea to cut off the main value since if any pipes burst in freezing conditions, the water will flow out of the affected area and into your home, perhaps resulting in flooding.
Turning on the faucets will also prevent freezing if you are unable to turn off the valve. Recycle dripping water by gathering it in a bucket for later use.
![](https://i0.wp.com/jasminefeliciano.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/25-Strategies-to-Prepare-for-a-Winter-Power-Outage-pin.png?resize=683%2C1024&quality=80&ssl=1)
6. Block Out any Drafts.
Surreptitious leaks and holes in your doors, windows, attic, fireplace, electrical outlets, chimney, and ductwork allow your home to lose a significant amount of heat.
Locate areas where air leaks frequently occur, then seal any gaps and crevices with caulking. To cut down on drafts, roll up blankets or towels or use draft stoppers at the base of windows and doors. Using fire-resistant materials like sheet metal or furnace cement caulk, seal the gaps and cracks surrounding water heater vents, furnaces, and fireplace chimneys.
7. Stock up Your Pantry.
You will probably run out of food, especially fresh food, in the event of a prolonged power outage. They will only hold their freshness for as long as your refrigerator does, which is usually up to 48 hours. Keep nonperishable foods on hand as power restoration may take many days. Keep supplies of canned goods, almonds, cereals, crackers, granolas, juices, powdered milk, and instant coffee on hand. Additionally, keep water bottles stored because, if you have an electric motor, tap water may freeze or become unavailable.
8. Plan a Back-up for Preparing Meals.
Since we are on the topic of food, think about how you would cook if there was no electricity. Even in the event of an electrical outage, you should be able to light any gas appliances you own using a match. You won’t have any luck, though, if your oven and stovetop are electric. However, you can cook outside with an open fire or a propane barbecue. Ensure you have enough wood or propane if that’s your plan. Also, be sure to have a manual can opener on hand!
9. Lower the Refrigerator’s Temperature.
If a storm is expected, get ready in advance. If there are prolonged power outages, consider lowering the temperature in your freezer and refrigerator. Food will last longer as a result. To keep food colder for longer, move perishables like milk, butter, meat, and vegetables from the refrigerator to the freezer.
10. Add Water to Your Bathtubs.
If you have access to a municipal water source, you don’t need to worry. On the other hand, if you have an electric water pump, this will not work. You can run out of water in the event of a power outage. To ensure you have adequate water for daily use and laundry, fill your baths and even your washing machines.ย
11. Put Gas in Your Tank.
Since gas stations are powered by electricity, you should fill up your tanks as soon as possible. Before a strong storm results in a power outage, keep an eye on the weather forecast and fill up your tank.
12. Get a car charger or a power bank.
Sometimes, power disruptions last for days or even weeks. In this case, a power bank is necessary to assist with phone charging. To make calls and stay up to date on the news, you may also get a car charger. To pass the time when you have nothing else to do and are extremely bored, you also need a phone. Social media browsing and YouTube video watching can be beneficial. Thus, be ready and have a fully charged power bank.
13. Get a Classic AM/FM Radio.
A simple AM/FM radio can be quite helpful if your phone’s battery runs out and you don’t have a power bank. Invest in a straightforward gadget to keep up with the most recent information and listen to the news.
14. Get an Old School Phone.
It makes sense to store a dated corded phone in a closet if you have a landline phone. In a power outage, modern phones that connect into wall outlets will not function, so having a working landline nearby will help you save your cellphone battery life.
Advice on Keeping Safe & Warm During a Winter Power Outage
When there is a power outage in your region, your priority should be staying warm. Here are some suggestions to get you through your emergency cold:
15. Protect Children & Pets.
Dress your children in cozy clothing and wrap comfy blankets around your pet family members. Stock up on extra cereal, breast milk formula, and prescription drugs ahead of time. Additionally, remember to keep your landline phone close to all emergency numbers.
It can be difficult to keep the kids calm in this tense circumstance. Keep their favorite toys close hand and use creative distractions like painting or drawing to divert their attention.
16. Make Use of a Wood Burning Fireplace.
On a chilly, windy winter night, nothing compares to the aroma and crackling sound of an indoor fireplace. In the event of a power outage, a wood-burning fireplace is a great alternative because it offers both warmth and comfort.
You should have enough seasoned wood stored in the dry season before the winter months arrive. Cutting the wood this year and storing it for the following winter is a good rule of thumb. Black birch, beech, oak, and cherry are a few of the choices that burn with less harmful residue.
To prevent the accumulation of toxins, it is advisable to have a professional inspect your chimney and vents on a regular basis.
17. Create a DIY Heating Source.
Use candles and terracotta pots to create easy DIY heaters. Put a few tiny candles in a dish made of clay or metal and cover them with an upside-down terracotta pot. This produces a tiny, safe heat source. Never forget to keep combustible materials apart from heat sources or open flames.
18. Layer Your Clothes.
Put on multiple layers of thermal apparel. Put on thermal clothing first, followed by a warm shirt and a cardigan or sweater. Additionally, insulated pants can assist fend off extreme cold. The hands and feet are where people lose the most heat, so wearing woolen socks and warm mittens is essential.
19. Consider pitching a camping tent in the Living Room.
The living room could become the scene of an enjoyable “campout” if the electricity goes out. Make sure your sleeping bags and tent are in good condition before the storm or get them if you don’t already have them. Make sure you also have an abundance of thick blankets.
Next, unfold the sleeping bags and put up the tent once the electricity goes out and the house temperature drops. Everyone in the family will stay warm if they are crammed into a tight space together and generate body heat. You’ll also have a delightful tale to share!
20. Be sure to keep windows and doors closed.
Aim to hold onto as much heat as you can during a blackout. If your doors and windows are open, you will soon lose all the heat that has built up.
Instead of just closing the windows, it is advised that you lock them. It keeps cold air from leaking in and aids in pressing the window against the frame. Moreover, to keep your home warmer, cover them with thick curtains or blinds. To stop air exchange, make sure the door is shut correctly each time.
21. Unplug all your electronics.
Following a strong storm, there’s a danger that electricity won’t come back on smoothly and that electrical surges will break your appliances.
Disconnect all the appliances during the blackout to keep them safe from a power spike. You can limit your choices to essential appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, and electric ovens if unplugging everything seems like too much trouble.
After a Power Outage, What Should You Do?
You can exhale with relief when the power comes back on, but you can’t unwind just yet. A few tasks still need to be completed, such replacing the food supplies and inspecting the pipes for damage.
22. Inspect Food Products for Spoilage.
You should check your food items for spoiling because they have been in your refrigerator without electricity for a considerable amount of time. Keep an eye out for clues like an odd texture or a strong odor. Things that have been exposed to 40 degrees or above for two hours or longer should be thrown out right away.
You might have to throw away any medication you use that requires refrigeration if it has been more than 24 hours. For directions, see the label; if you are unsure whether to discard it, speak with a pharmacist.
23. Assess Your Hot water heater.
It could take some time for the water to warm up if your electricity was down for a long period. After an hour or two, though, if you still don’t have hot water, there may be an issue that has to be looked at. If the issue persists after checking to see if the circuit has tripped during the outage, get in touch with a professional for a thorough evaluation.
24. Check for Damaged Pipes.
Water pipes are particularly vulnerable to damage in cold weather, and the likelihood of pipes freezing, and bursts increases significantly when there is no heating for several hours. Water pooling around pipes, non-working faucets, and water damage on the walls, floor, or ceiling are some warning indicators to watch out for.
A blow dryer can be used to thaw any suspected frozen pipes. There is a chance of electrocution, so be careful not to use that if you are in standing water. It is always preferable to immediately contact a professional and cut off the water at the main shut-off valve.
25. Restock on Your Winter Essentials.
Try to restock all the necessities you used during the outage after the storm has passed. Restock on food, water, fuel, and batteries because storms can come again and there won’t be as much time to do so.
Being ready is the greatest way to guarantee your comfort and safety during a winter power outage. Keeping food, water, and other essentials on hand can be quite beneficial. Since the absence of heat poses the greatest threat during a blackout, you can stay warm and sheltered from inclement weather by wearing layers of clothing and sealing off chilly drafts in your house.
Wrapping Things Up.
You can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the storm passes and power is restored. The aftermath, on the other hand, deserves attention. Examine your food supply, appliances, and pipelines for potential damage. It’s time to stock up on winter necessities including food, water, fuel, and batteries.
I hope this article provides you with a framework for your winterizing strategy. Preparedness is your most powerful ally in the face of winter’s unpredictable powers. You’ve fortified your home against the bitter cold by weatherproofing it, investing in generators, and following these practical tips. Accept the warmth, embrace the protection, and remember that your resilience shines brightly in the face of winter’s adversities.
Leave a Reply