10 Effective Tips to Prepare During a Winter Power Outage

A power outage can happen at any time of the year. However, during cooler months, it's an even more unwelcome inconvenience when a loss of power can mean no heat and other potentially serious situations. While we certainly hope you don't have a winter power outage, we want to help you be prepared just in case. We offer ten effective tips below so you'll be ready to manage an unexpected loss of power in the winter.

1. Get Your Home Winter Ready

When the power goes out, heat is no longer generated or circulated by your furnace. So, the first step to take to prepare for a possible outage is to help your home hold as much heat as possible. Winterization efforts you can take to achieve this goal include:

• Replacing old, worn, or missing weather-stripping around doors and windows
• Adding draft guards where air leakage is likely
• Properly insulating your walls and attic
• Updating older doors and windows with ones more energy efficient

2. Put Together an Emergency Kit

Avoid the tendency to panic when the power goes out in the winter and set aside an emergency kit. It can be as simple as a small box or bag with the main things you'll need until the power is restored. Typically, a power outage emergency kit includes:

• Flashlights
• A portable or hand-cranked radio
• Extra batteries
• A basic first-aid kit

3. Set Aside Some Warm Clothing

Put some easily accessible sweaters, hoodies, and other clothing that can be quickly grabbed and used for layering aside. You might do this by putting some of these things in a downstairs closet or a box in a designated location. Insulated long underwear, warm socks, gloves, and even coats and scarves can be equally welcome sources of warmth.

4. Cover Windows or Close Blinds

If a winter power outage happens at night or continues into the night, take a moment to close blinds or cover windows in your home before getting to bed. Once the sun goes down, windows left exposed can be a source of heat loss.

5. Block Drafts and Keep Exterior Doors Closed

Minimize the risk of speeding up the heat loss process by blocking any noticeable drafts in your home. Also, keep outside-leading doors closed. If there's a need to go outside, open and close the door as quickly as possible.

6. Gather in a Warmer Spot in Your Home

It's much easier for everyone in your home to stay warm during a winter power outage if household members gather in one spot. Make the go-to gathering spot a room where you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove. Even if you don't have an alternative heat source, gathering in the warmest room in your home can still minimize heat loss.

7. Consider a Portable Generator

You'll appreciate being able to run a few appliances, charge your phone, and take care of other tasks of this nature when the power goes out in the winter. You can do these things if you have a portable generator, which usually runs on either gas or propane. Ensure your generator is properly placed and that you have enough fuel on hand if it needs to be used.

8. Unplug Certain Things to Avoid Electrical Surges

When power comes back on, certain electrical devices and products in your home could experience sudden surges. Protect appliances and electronics by unplugging anything with an assortment of electrical components, a list that includes:

• Smart fridges and other advanced appliances
• Gaming systems
• Laptop/desktop computers
• TV sets

9. Stock Up on Food/Beverage Essentials

Be ready for a potential long-term power outage by stocking up some extra edible essentials during the winter months. Opt for things like powdered milk and boxed or canned foods that can be safely stored for longer periods. Having extra bottled waters on hand is also a good idea in case your tap water becomes undrinkable.

10. Know What to Check Once a Power Outage is Over

It's just as important to know what you'll need to check on and do when your power comes back on. After you get readjusted, take time to check the following things in your home:

• The food in your fridge and your food supplies
• Your stash of emergency supplies to see what needs to be replenished
• Your water heater
• Your furnace to make sure it's still working properly
• Your home's pipes to look for leaks or other potential issues related to cold exposure

Call Us Today

Another way to prepare for a winter power outage is to contact Romano Bros. Heating and Air to have your furnace inspected. Doing so ensures your heating system is in good shape so it can effectively start up again and re-warm your home if it loses power during an outage.

Call us today to take advantage of our full range of comfort services and solutions.