How to stay safe during winter storm power outages

from serious winter storm and burning heat wave unforeseen ACCIDENT Like a delivery driver hitting a power line, a power outage can happen without warning.

Regardless of the cause, their duration and outside temperatures can make them serious and even life-threatening. Crucially, responding safely to an outage depends on adequate preparation.

Michael Coe, vice president of physical and cybersecurity programs at the American Public Powers Association, emphasized this point, saying, “When thinking about preparedness, I always think of the old adage: ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.'”

Here’s expert advice on how to stay safe during an outage and prepare for future disruptions.

before power outage

How you prepare depends on your needs,” said Disaster Director Denise Everhart. American Red Cross. The answer will be different if you have children, pets, or medical equipment that require constant power.

If you have critical medical equipment that relies on electricity, notify your utility company, Coe said. Many providers post forms on their websites for customers to disclose these medical needs during outages. Customers can also call for consultation.

“There are ways to provide backup batteries or other types of energy so that if there’s some type of power outage, they’re not affected,” Coe said.

Everhart said sometimes, if a power outage makes things unsafe, the best move is to evacuate.

If you’re ready to stay, it’s time to get out your emergency kit. Ideally it should contain:

The trick with food is finding something nutritious, edible, and delicious. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a great staple, as are canned foods. But again, the right food depends on the family.

“Is your six-year-old really going to eat a can of cold chili?” Everhart said.

Depending on where you live, a power outage can be a very different experience. If you have gas heating and live in a city, you can still take a hot shower. If you have electric heating and rely on well water, you may use water from a tank to flush toilets, but don’t have running water.

Matthew Gonzales, executive director of the Southwest Region of the Consumers Energy Union, recommends filling a bathtub or bucket with water before a power outage so you can continue to fill tanks and flush toilets.

Coe also said it’s important to sign up for emergency alerts from utility companies, local police and other EMS agencies so you know immediately if there’s a boil water notice, evacuation order or other important message.

when it gets dark

After a power outage, turn off your refrigerator to keep it cold. Coe says food can be kept for up to four hours in the refrigerator and up to 48 hours in the freezer, but those numbers will drop if the door is constantly opened, letting in warm air.

Eat perishable foods first. If it’s as cold as a refrigerator outside, or around 37 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius), moving the food outdoors can help it last longer. But it’s not a foolproof solution, as temperatures can fluctuate. So if something smells, looks or tastes funny, don’t eat it.

Before using water in your home, check to make sure the water is still safe to use. For example, the Red Cross emergency app lists government alerts such as boil water notices if supplies are contaminated.

There are many ways to stay warm during a power outage. People who own fireplaces and furnaces can still use them. If that’s not you, hand warmers ($1), heated jackets ($100+), battery-powered electric blankets ($40+) and portable propane space heaters ($80+) can all help you feel more comfortable during brief cold outages. The tank that fuels these space heaters can also fuel a small camping gas stove.

Everhart says don’t leave space heaters or candles unattended, which could cause a house fire, and don’t bring generators indoors, which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. If it’s too hot or too cold to keep what you have safe, it’s time to leave.

But before you do that, check on your neighbors if you can, Gonzalez said.

plan next time

The best time to develop an outage plan is when there is no imminent threat of an outage. Before the next one comes along, here are a few things to consider:

But for most outages, Everhart said preparations aren’t that complicated.

“Have a tool kit, have a plan, have a way of getting informed, and a way of informing people. That’s real preparation in a nutshell,” she said.