How to Prepare for Major Power Outages

Natural disasters and other major events have the potential to cause problems with the supply of electricity to your home. Here's how you can prepare for power disruption.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Distilled Water
• Camping Lanterns
• Flashlights

Cooking and Lighting

1. Stock extra candles, flashlights and extra batteries, lighters and matches.
2. For extra security, get a camping lantern with extra fuel and mantels and a camping stove.
3. If you have a fireplace or wood stove, consider getting a small metal rack, such as those used over campfires for cooking.
4. Stock up on paper plates, cups and plastic utensils to eliminate wasting water on dishwashing.

Keeping Warm

5. Make sure you have warm clothes appropriate for nighttime temperatures in your region. Dress in layers and remove layers when you are physically active. Sweat can soak your clothing and ruin insulating properties.
6. Stock extra blankets and/or sleeping bags for every member of your household.
7. Stock up on extra wood if you have a fireplace or wood stove.
8. If the power stays out for an extended period, close off unneeded sections of your home and gather the members of your household in a central area.
9. Hang blankets over windows and use towels to block drafts under doors. Hang other blankets around sleeping areas. You are at a higher risk of freezing when you are sleeping and inactive.

Tips & Warnings

• Modern lanterns and camping stoves run off both white gas and unleaded automobile fuel.
• Only use camping stoves or lanterns in a well-ventilated area.
• Food is heat. Your appetite will increase in cold weather as your body tries to stay warm. Make sure you have adequate supplies of food and water on hand.