Regardless of where you live, winter power outages can happen and leave you in a difficult or unprepared situation. Luckily, there are simple steps you can take and supplies you can include in your home emergency plan to prepare for a blackout.
Winter storms can cause sudden power outages. Without electricity, heating, lighting, and communications can be disrupted. Planning ahead helps you stay safe and comfortable.
Here are ten tips to help you be as prepared as possible for a winter power outage.
How to Prepare for a Winter Storm Power Outage
Winterize Your Living Spaces
The heat inside a house is limited when the power goes out in winter. Prepare for this possibility by taking steps to insulate your home, such as installing weatherstripping around doors and windows and draft stoppers. Ensuring your attic and walls are well-insulated can also be beneficial.
Stock up on non-perishable food and bottled water
If a winter power outage lasts for a relatively long period, the food in your refrigerator may spoil. Be prepared for this situation by making sure you have a pantry stocked with canned goods and other non-perishable items. Stocking up on bottled water is also important, in case your tap water becomes undrinkable.
Keep warm clothing handy
Hats, gloves, scarves, sweaters, hoodies, and coats are some of the warm clothing items you can keep handy in case of a power outage. Wearing multiple layers of clothing to stay warm also eliminates the need to turn on a wood-burning stove or fireplace.
Prepare an emergency kit
Minimize the possibility of panicking when the power goes out in winter by having some essential emergency items in an easily accessible location. A practical way to do this is to prepare an “emergency kit” containing things that are usually useful during a power outage, such as:
- Flashlights
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radios
- Power banks or portable chargers
Unplug anything that could be affected when the power comes back on
Devices such as computers, laptops, and smart appliances with electronic components could be affected by a power surge when the electricity returns. For this reason, these types of appliances and electronics in your home should be unplugged during a winter power outage.
Invest in a portable generator
A portable generator won’t have enough power to run your entire house during a winter power outage. However, it can provide enough power to keep your refrigerator running and your phones charged. Make sure you have enough fuel stored for your generator and that it is kept in a safe, well-ventilated location.
Gather in the warmest area or room.
During a power outage in winter, it’s easier to stay warm if everyone in your household gathers in the warmest place. This could be the smallest room in your house or one where a fireplace or wood-burning stove is already in use. At the very least, gathering in one place helps generate extra body heat.
Do not open outside doors unless absolutely necessary.
Prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from entering during a power outage by keeping outside doors closed. If you need to open an exterior door, do so briefly to minimize heat loss.
Block Any Noticeable Window/Door Gaps
Since we’re talking about minimizing heat loss during a winter power outage, don’t forget to seal any gaps around windows and doors. Rolled-up towels or blankets can serve as a temporary solution until you can permanently seal the gaps.
Dress in Layers
The warm clothing we mentioned earlier will be even more useful if you dress in layers during a winter power outage. Start with thermal or long-sleeved underwear as your base layer and add warm pants and looser, lighter top layers. Gloves or mittens will also be very helpful to keep your hands warm. Boots are a good option for your feet, especially if they cover the bottom of your pants.
Conclusion
Preparing for a power outage during a winter storm involves more than just stocking up on supplies—it’s about protecting your home, your health, and your community. With a well-thought-out plan, you can weather the storm safely and comfortably.
