While the power going out can be romantic to some — lighting some candles, reading that book you've been putting off–in reality it can be dangerous to those who aren't prepared for the consequences of not having electricity readily available. What should you consider in preparation?
- Light
You will need to have flashlights available at the very least. One flashlight per adult family member is a good idea. Most department and hardware stores will carry a large enough selection of flashlights to make your head spin. Get extra batteries while you are at it.- Water
Consider keeping one gallon of water per person per day stashed for drinking and cooking. Clean water in sealed containers can be purchased at your local department store. Larger containers for preserving water can be purchased online at preparedness outlets.- Warm blankets and clothes
Each family member should have an extra blanket in addition to normal bedding. A warm sweater, hat and socks will make life in a colder home much more bearable.- Emergency food and cooking equipment
Obtain a small camping stove and an ample food supply that will store well. Canned or dried foods work exceptionally well during power outages. You may be surprised to find that many grocery stores are now carrying food that is specially packaged with long term storage and simple preparation in mind. A visit to your nearest army surplus store will undoubtedly turn up emergency food rations that can be purchased ready to store in the pantry.- Personal medications
This is a key item that will change drastically from household to household. Consult your doctor for emergency supplies of medications such as insulin or other must have prescriptions that you cannot live without. A little planning in this area will prevent personal medication needs from becoming a life threatening emergency. Over the counter medications and emergency supplies such as ibuprofen, aspirin and anti-diarrhea medication can keep small issues from becoming a major inconvenience.- Prepare your freezer.
Besides the food that is already stored in your freezer, place water bottles in every unused space so that they will freeze and provide your goods with cold ice for days after a power outage. Besides helping the food in your freezer to keep longer, you are storing that much more clean water. In the event of a power outage, drape a spare sleeping bag over the freezer. The added insulation will keep food longer so long as family members avoid getting the sleeping bag caught in the door when closing the freezer.- Hand crank weather radio
Will you survive without a radio during a power outage? Of course you will. But these radios with a hand crank to charge them can really be a sanity saver. Weather reports and local news may keep you informed as to when the power may come back on. Hand crank radios do not require batteries. While these radios used to be a novelty item, they can now be obtained at most department stores as well as preparedness sites online.
Having some form of light is always important, especially if you have children. The effect of light on the human psyche is incredible, and just having a small LED flashlight or a candle can go a long way towards improving your morale when you find yourself stuck inside during a power outage.
Water is also important to consider because when the power is out, the pumps may not be working. One thing you can consider if you haven't stocked up on water but have camping filters is using the water in the back of the toilet. It's tap water just like the sink, and most toilets have a few gallons there.
All of these are excellent tips. One that I'm going to do right now is load up my freezer with water bottles because that's an awesome idea.
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