A winter storm such as a blizzard or ice storm that results in a power outage can mean losing access to regular furnace heating in the home for a period of hours, days or up to a week. Stave off the risk of hypothermia and other serious health problems by preparing ahead of time for electricity loss during a violent winter storm.
Keep a 72-Hour Emergency Survival Kit on Hand
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that in addition to all-purpose 72-hour emergency kits, people have on hand rock salt, sand, and snow removal equipment such as a shovel.
Also added to the disaster kit should be battery-operated flashlights / electric torches, radios, and extra batteries. Store warm blankets made of wool or an insulating material in an accessible place.
Prepare for Freezing Pipes and Rooftops in a Winter Storm Disaster
Make sure somebody in the household knows how to safely turn off the water valves in the event a pipe bursts due to the expansion of freezing water. Have the house's roof inspected and, if necessary, repaired, to make sure it can bear the weight of snow from a blizzard.
Store Fuel for Backup Heat
Before winter comes, winterize the home to maximize its insulating capacity during emergency power outages. Besides weather-stripping windows and doors, install storm windows and insulate walls, attics and any outbuildings.
A storm in winter can result in the furnace becoming non-functional. Consumers who have wood stoves or wood fireplaces should make sure they are clean and functional and keep a good supply of sufficient fuel. Note that although a wood burning stove will operate on seasoned dry firewood, pellet stoves typically do require electricity to run.
Prevent Fires By Using Backup Heating Equipment Safely
Fires and deaths result all too frequently during winter storms, when home owners use emergency generators inside the home to provide heat.
- Have a fire extinguisher on hand.
- Never operate backup generators, or any equipment that runs on propane, gasoline, or kerosene, inside an enclosed space.
- Follow all safety instructions that come with the backup generator. Make sure it does not emit exhaust near an opening into a living area.
- Never turn on a gas stove and open the door for warmth.
- Do not run a car in a garage for warmth.
- Use candles with caution. Don't leave them burning in an unattended room or with children or people who can't move about easily.
When the Power Goes Out, Act Immediately
- Gather supplies together while it is still light, assembling all flashlights nearby.
- Close the drapes and gather everyone in the warmest room in the home, closing the door.
- Open doors as infrequently as possible to conserve heat.
- Dress in layers. Wear a hat, mittens, and socks and shoes.
- A loosely knitted scarf over the mouth will help prevent very cold air from entering the lungs.
- Move frequently, but not to the point of building up a sweat, to keep the blood circulating well.
- Share blankets and body warmth with others in the household if necessary.
- If the power outage seems extensive and it is very cold, sleep at night wearing full winter garb.
Keep Nourished in Extreme Cold
Since the body increases its metabolism in frigid weather, people living through a power outage in cold weather will burn calories faster and need more food to stay warm and function well. The 72-hour kit will have non-perishable food that doesn't need cooking. Eat and drink regularly.
When the Winter Storm Hits, Keep Everybody Safe and Healthy
Avoid drinking alcohol for "warmth;" the last thing a person at risk for hypothermia needs is dulled alertness. Get any person of vulnerable health, including the very young, the very old, the ill, or the disabled, to a heated shelter as soon as possible. If anybody exhibits signs of hypothermia or frostbite, get them immediate medical attention.
If the winter power outage goes on for longer than is reasonable – and that depends on the health and state of the home's inhabitants – then move to a heated shelter. Stay at the home of somebody you trust, or check for information about local public shelters on the radio.
Get Ready for the Disaster Before It Happens
A power outage is never predictable, and cold weather and lack of heat constitute a real danger. In case the electricity goes out during a winter storm, preparedness ahead of time is advised. Get together a 72-hour kit for disaster survival, learn how to take care of pipes and safely use alternate sources of fuel and heat, take fire safety precautions, take safe measures to keep warm, and don't gamble with the health of vulnerable individuals. Lastly, don't hesitate to take advantage of public shelters when necessary.
Kerry Bakerson - Kerry's fiction has been published by Mundania Press. A former jewelry designer and bookseller, Kerry is now a full-time web content ...
