Are you prepared for winter storms? If you were to lose power for one or two days, how well would you get by? What are your plans if you have a power outage that lasts two, three or more days? A generator may not be an option for you, so what other back-ups do you have for a power outage?
For many, the obvious answer is to have a generator for use during a power outage. But often a generator is simply out of the question. It costs a lot of money, requires storage space you may not have, it’s noisy to run and you may not need it that often. But there are many other alternatives to surviving a power outage that don’t require a generator. If you plan ahead, (by “plan ahead” I mean now, not 24 hours before a storm is predicted to hit you.), you can weather a winter storm.
First, prepare to live with minimal power needs. Insulate windows and seal up cracks so that you don’t have heat seeping out. Close off rooms that are not used often. Protect electronics from power surges by unplugging TVs and computers. Second, have non-electric lights. Candles and kerosene lamps have a nice glow, but do not light well and can be a fire hazard, especially if you have animals or young children. Have spare batteries for flashlights and radios. Consider having flashlights and radios that are solar or powered by hand-crank. Third, to minimize food loss, keep the refrigerator and freezer full and doors closed. A full freezer will keep food frozen for up to 48 hours. Food in the fridge will stay cold up to four hours if you do not open the door. Anything longer than that, you should have a back-up plan. This could be as simple as moving food to an unheated garage or this may be a time you want a generator. Fourth, if you do not have a corded landline phone, make sure that your cell phone is fully charged. You may want to invest in a solar or hand-powered charger. (Read reviews of solar phone chargers here. This one gets high ratings and is only $40.)
If you do have a generator, you should know how to safely operate it. Read and follow manufacturer’s instructions. Plan to have extra fuel on hand in case of a prolonged outage. If needed, the gas in your car’s tank can be syphoned out and used for the generator. If you have a fireplace or wood stove, you should have a good supply of wood.
You might consider a kerosene heater as an alternative source of heat. Newer models have several safety features that reduce the risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning, such as an automatic switch off if the heater tips over. Here’s a review of five top models. Good kerosene heaters cost between $90-200. This is a highly-rated one at a modest $149. But you MUST be sure to follow all the manufacturer’s safety precautions AND have an up-to-date, working battery-powered (non-electric) carbon monoxide detecter.
I hope that none of us have to deal with a power outage this winter (or ever!) but if you do, be prepared to stay warm and stay safe!
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