How to Survive a Winter Blackout

Surviving a winter blackout is based on solid preparation beforehand. If you live in an area prone to blizzards or ice storms, it's a good idea to review your plan each year for surviving a winter blackout. Check your emergency supplies and replenish anything you're low on early in the season, before a harsh winter storm is predicted.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Firewood
• Canned food
• Manual can opener
• Bottled water
• Generator
• Fuel for generator

Planning Before Winter

1. Heating your home, or at least parts of it will be of primary concern in a winter blackout. A fireplace or wood-burning stove are the most common solutions. Keep a ready supply of firewood for emergencies.

2. Keep a supply of food that can easily be heated over a fire, along with a manual can opener. Have enough drinking water stored for several days at least.

3. Check your supply of batteries for flashlights and radios, and be sure they're fresh. You'll need a way to listen to news and weather reports until the power is restored.

4. Consider a generator if you live in an area where blackouts are common. A stand-by generator runs on natural gas or propane, and will start automatically if the power goes out. Another option is a portable generator, from which you can run certain essential appliances like the refrigerator through extension cords. Or you can include a power transfer system, which will restore power to your circuit panel.

When a Storm is Predicted

5. Cook food in advance that can be easily re-heated over a fire. This will not only allow you to have more variety of food to eat if the power is out for several days, but will prevent those foods from going to waste.

6. Fill the bathtub with water, particularly if you have a well. This water can be used for sanitation, but not for drinking.

7. Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their lowest settings. If the power does go out, only open the doors when absolutely necessary, and close it quickly. The more you can keep it shut, the longer the food will stay cold or frozen.

While the Power is Out

8. Wear several layers of loose lightweight clothing as opposed to one heavy layer. Wear a hat, as most heat is lost through the head, and mittens to keep your hands warm.

9. Plan to live in just one or two rooms of your house, closest to the heat source. Try to prevent heat from escaping to other parts of the house by closing doors or hanging blankets in doorways to keep the heat contained.

10. Keep pipes from freezing by turning faucets on just enough so that they drip. Know where the emergency shut off valve is in case of a broken pipe.

11. Assume that any downed power lines are live. Stay away from them, along with any trees or fences they might be resting on. Be sure to keep children and pets away from them, too.