10 Effective Tips to Prepare During a Winter Power Outage

January 6, 2022

When the freezing temperature hits, you don't want to imagine going without heat. Unfortunately, if you rely on electricity to power your heating system, a power outage could throw you into that unpleasant position very quickly. Fortunately, by using our safety preparation tips below, you can successfully make it through a wintertime power outage without freezing the whole time.

Winterize Your Home

Before you can truly enjoy a warm home when the power is out, you need to winterize it. This means applying weatherstripping to all doors and windows that have drafts. If your home lacks adequate insulation for your region, then it's time to upgrade to the right r-value.

Stock Up on Water and Food

If you're going to be comfortable, you're going to want some food and water. While you may think about relying on your refrigerator or freezer, that may not be possible if it ends up being a long-term power outage. Instead, put some shelf-stable foods in the cabinet and enough bottled water for your family to enjoy for days.

Have Warm Clothing Ready

The best way to keep yourself from getting cold is to add layers of insulating clothing to your skin. You should have every member of your family prepare several layers of clothing, including long underwear. Ensure that these are put in an easily accessible location that you can find in the dark.

Have Flashlights Around Your Home

You never know when a power outage may occur. If it's in the middle of the night, it can seem like an endless task to stumble around your house trying to remember where a flashlight is. Do yourself a favor and strategically place flashlights throughout different rooms of your home. Make sure to keep extra batteries in a central location.

Invest in a Portable Generator

A portable generator can be an excellent investment to help run some appliances until your power comes back on. You'll need to make sure that you have gasoline or propane available, depending on what your generator runs on. It's a good idea to have some spare phone charging cords with your generator so that you can stay in communication with loved ones during the outage.

Have Wood For Fireplaces

If you have a fireplace or two inside of your home, it can be the perfect source of heat until your power comes back on. Be sure to have firewood in a readily accessible location alongside long matches and firestarters to get a fire going.

Fill Up Your Gas Tank

When you know that a winter storm is going to hit, you should opt for filling up the gas tank on your vehicle. This will ensure that you have enough fuel to get to a local shelter if the need arises. Additionally, it provides a means to get heat if you're having trouble staying warm inside your home.

Have a Car Charger For Your Smartphone

If you don't have a generator in your home, then it's likely you're going to need your car to charge your phone. It's best to have a car charger for your smartphone in your vehicle so that it's ready to go in the event of a power outage.

Insulate Your Pipes

When your home goes without power when the temperature dips down below freezing outside, it can cause the water in your pipes to freeze up. You can prevent your pipes from freezing by applying an insulating sleeve or, at the bare minimum, insulating tape to your exposed piping.

Have an Alternative Heater

Investing in a wood-burning stove or kerosene heater can be a great way to prevent the cold weather from taking over your home when a power outage occurs. Just make sure that you stock up on spare fuel for your alternative heater.

Contact Us Today

If you need assistance with getting your home ready to take on a power outage, contact the professionals at Master Mechanical. Our experts can help prep your home and keep your family warm all winter long.