Tips For Power Outages In Winter

The winter season can damage a lot of things. Powerful storms that shake the Maritimes often leave thousands without power, which can be extra challenging during the coldest months of the year; without heat or electricity, people often need to turn to warming stations or emergency centres.

We recently had our first blast of winter in Fredericton. The storm dumped more than 26 centimetres of snow on the city and left thousands without power, some for more than a day. A winter power outage can be annoying, and even dangerous, but there are ways you can prepare yourself and your family.

Start by having emergency flashlights. And always pack extra batteries, or purchase wind-up battery flashlights; these are very helpful because they get brighter as you wind them up. Make sure to have one big flashlight, and several smaller ones you can place around your home. LED lights are best as they have a longer lifespan.

Pack extra candles and matches; these are helpful for all sorts of reasons. Even if you have an oil lamp, you can use the matches to light the flame. While you’re at it, buy some longer fireplace matches, which can be used to start up your fireplace.

Look into battery operated or hand-crank radios; they will help you stay informed about what’s happening. That’s right kids, cell phones run on rechargeable batteries, so without electricity, you can’t charge them. Get ready to learn how old school works!

It’s important to learn how to cook over an open fire or campfire stove, that way you can warm up foods and keep yourself nourished.

Making sure you have a manual can opener is also a good idea, because electric ones won’t work during a power outage. If you’re a coffee drinker, like so many of us are, be sure to get a French press – that way you can survive the outage with coffee.

Fill some plastic containers with water – leaving a bit of space to allow for expansion – and place them in your freezer. This will help keep your freezer cold so perishable items don’t spoil during the outage.

If you park your vehicle in a garage, make sure you know how to open your automatic door manually. Keep the instructions in your garage so you can use your car when need it. You should also make sure your vehicle’s gas tank is full so you can get where you need to go if travelling is required. But if the storm is bad, you should stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.

If you need to use the phone during a power outage, a landline is your best option. If you’re like so many others and don’t have one, make sure you have car phone chargers to fuel up your cell phone when necessary.

Take the time to unplug your small appliances. Leaving them plugged in can not only affect power restoration but can cause damage to your items. Spikes that result from power restoration can permanently damage things like laptops, small appliances and cell phones.

Don’t open your refrigerator door – as tempting as it might be. Every time a person opens the door, cold air that’s helping to keep your food safe is released. An unopened refrigerator can keep food cold for up to four hours. After that, it might be a good idea to start throwing stuff away.

And if your budget allows, you should purchase a portable generator. It won’t solve all your problems but can help keep your devices charged, and provide light in your home. Don’t let winter power outages get the best of you; employ the tools you have to get through it a little easier.