Lets face it! This is a perfect example of "it's not "if" it's WHEN"!
Here are a few basic things you can do now, today, after work, with the kids, or in the next few days to help your family live more comfortably WHEN there is a power outage.
The Storm here in 2006 took our power, but it also blocked major roads and passageways for commercial trucks to bring basic needs, the outage caused stores to close or have limited groceries, and some lost all frozen items due to lack of sufficient power. ( rumor was Safeway was GIVING away ice cream... DANG!! I was 10 months prego...and stuck at home).
Food
It's easy enough to have the right food on hand. This could save you hundreds of dollars. Many choose to travel long distances to get to a restaurant with power because they are sick of the few things that they had on hand when the power went out. Not to mention the fact that some of the more severe storms have been dangerous ice storms in the northwest, it's not worth the risk of going out for food (if it is available) Save yourself the money now, but grabbing a few essential foods that require no cooking, minimal heating.
Long Lasting Foods Shelf life 3+ mo
Peanut Butter & Honey Sandwiches
Peanut Butter & Honey Sandwiches
Ready to go packages of Tuna-fish & Crackers
Canned Fruit, Crackers with Peanut Butter
Chips and Salsa ( buy smaller jars of salsa to have on hand)
Think of shelf stable Items that you love.
THRIVE fruits are perfect! And will store for 25+ years (If you can keep yourself from eating them)
Fresh Foods
Be Preparedness minded when you go to the grocery storm in these winter months. Pick up a few extra fresh fruits and vegetables of things that won't go bad in just a week or two.
Apples
Oranges
Chips and Salsa ( buy smaller jars of salsa to have on hand)
Think of shelf stable Items that you love.
THRIVE fruits are perfect! And will store for 25+ years (If you can keep yourself from eating them)
Fresh Foods
Be Preparedness minded when you go to the grocery storm in these winter months. Pick up a few extra fresh fruits and vegetables of things that won't go bad in just a week or two.
Apples
Oranges
If you have a gas stove you can cook on your stove. But you will still have limited light and will enjoy easy meal prep. Cooking outside on a Camp stove is also an option you could turn to if days turn into a week.
Try some THRIVE Express meals if you want to have these meals ready to go for up to 10 years! ONCE and DONE!
Others Favorites
Spaghetti ( When the noodles are done and drained, add a can of sauce to the pan of noodles and stir over heat. This will save you a pan.)
Canned soups
Stove top Quesadillas
Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
Hot Cocoa
Here's my soapbox!
DON'T OPEN YOUR FRIDGE OR FREEZER MORE THAN 1 TIME AFTER THE POWER GOES OUT.
If you have toddlers/husbands who are accustomed to mindlessly opening the refrigerator...use duct tape. This will likely save all your foods items. I have saved freezer items for 5+days, after the power is out.Make a mental checklist of the foods you will for sure eat all or most of over the next few days. When you open the fridge pull out everything at once that you will need. This will be the last time you open your fridge Until the power is back on!
Items you might pull out:
Milk
Juice
Cheese
Lunch Meat
Yogurt
Carrot sticks
Put all of these Items in a box or small tote. your new fridge is the front or back porch, near your door, but not right next to the house. After all it's freezing outside! If your power is out in the summer... this might not work for you... but a cooler will, if you have access to Ice...before it all melts.
Most people have valuable items in there freezers and countless items in their refrigerators that add up to a lot of money! You could save hundreds of dollars by keeping the cold in your fridge during the power outage. When the power resumes check your freezer for signs that indicate what the temperature has been. If your ice cream is still frozen your good! But you will need to check with in a short time of the power coming back on! If your fridge or freezer is poorly insulated and your items all thaw, and are not kept cold for days you might loose your food. Food will stay good if it is still cold. Check your meat for sure. If it is completely or partially frozen you can still use it. If your steaks have completely defrosted but are still cold, you might be able to have steak for dinner.
- Stock up at each grocery trip (think it could be that last for a week or two)
- Keep your Fridge & Freezer locked up once the power goes out!
- Make a Box cooler for your porch if it's cold enough outside
Clothing
This is a big one. And it requires you to be prepared and on top of things! DO YOUR LAUNDRY!
You probably thought I was going to say that you needed special clothes, I will mention a few things later, but one of the most important is Do NOT go to bed with clothes in the Washer, make sure they make it all the way to the dryer. The Power going out poses a big issue to modern convinces that we can't live without ;) like a washer and dryer. If the power is out for a few days your wet clothes get to sit in your washer, a basket or hang all over your bathroom drying...not fun in a dark freezing cold house.
When you are expecting a storm... Expect that you might loose power and be Prepared!
I like to make sure that I finish all loads of Laundry even if I have to stay up late to do it. Taking it to the next level is making sure you stay on top of your laundry so that you don't have dirty dish towels that have been in the pile for 3 days already waiting another 5 before you can run a load.
It's a good idea to have all winter clothes available and ready to save the stress of finding them in a pitch dark garage, or attic. If you put those types of clothes away, it's a good idea to find a corner to put them in where they are accessible, especially heavy gloves, boots and wool socks.
Keep children dressed warm and they won't care what they eat, if it's with everyone at home in the world most awesome fort by the light of the flashlight and they don't have to compete for you attention with the cell phone or Computer or TV...they will love it! Enjoy this time with your children and make memories.
Keep children dressed warm and they won't care what they eat, if it's with everyone at home in the world most awesome fort by the light of the flashlight and they don't have to compete for you attention with the cell phone or Computer or TV...they will love it! Enjoy this time with your children and make memories.
Always be prepared to help others.
You might think that you'll just stay in your house and wait out the storm...But it might be that others are suffering a tree falling, extreme colds, lack of medications, or simply fear of the unknown. Check on those you love, knock on a neighbors door and be ready to help if someone is in need. Having your winter wear ready to go will prove very beneficial in these times of dire need to get out and help or comfort others!
Shelter & Heat
How will you home be a safe haven?
Many flee their homes when the power is out, but those who are prepared can take care of themselves, provide for their basic needs and enjoy the life with no computers or TV's for entertainment.
The Main question is... How uncomfortable are you willing to be?
If you are living somewhere where storms or power outages are a common occurrence you might find yourself enjoying the blessings of a home powered with natural Gas, and not 100% electricity.
A Natural Gas powered home can provide you with the following which are priceless in a power outage!We don't have a generator so we provide our our heat, and energy for cooking with gas. and are stocked up on Batteries ( but limit flashlight usage) Having a "gas" home we enjoy:
A warm Shower!
A warm Shower!
A stove to cook on ( a gas power stove will still light with a match)
A warm room or home ( the Gas powered fireplace can warm a large area)
If you are thinking about getting a gas stove or electric... STOP debating! GAS will be your love in cooking but you'll get twice the bag for your buck when you get to use it in a power outage!
If you have a gas fireplace and you have someway of containing the heat to one area of the home, you will find yourself quite comfortable. Here is one idea for blocking off your stairs - Heat rises.
I use a simple yard stick from Lowe's and add small nails down the stick about every 8 -10 inches. We then use it to secure a sheet to the ceiling around our stairs. This blocks the heat from rising and trying to fill the whole house. We create a room that is easily 15 degrees warmer than the upstairs. (maybe even more).
I use a simple yard stick from Lowe's and add small nails down the stick about every 8 -10 inches. We then use it to secure a sheet to the ceiling around our stairs. This blocks the heat from rising and trying to fill the whole house. We create a room that is easily 15 degrees warmer than the upstairs. (maybe even more).
Light
You can always be ready for the power to go out with extra batteries ready and Flashlights all located in the same convenient location.
DO NOT STORE FLASHLIGHTS IN YOUR GARAGE.
DO NOT STORE FLASHLIGHTS WITH BATTERIES IN THEM!
We have this great little tool called the black out buddy, made by the Red Cross. When this is plugged in, it's charging. When the power goes out the light goes on. It's great to have in one room, the hall or a convenient location. It's very useful in helping to find your way in the dark house and is a flashlight when its pulled out from the wall.
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| GOAL ZERO lantern $44 |
Depending on what you are willing to endure, you can get by with little light. But light will make your time in the cold more bearable. Choosing the light for your needs is simple...what do you want to spend? Simple flashlights can be found at the dollar store, but some simple Lantern lights might make a word of difference. Candles are great to have when your flashlights won't cut it. But we aren't accustomed to living with candle light, so great care sure be used to prevent fire. NEVER fall asleep with candles on!
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| Cosmo Head Lamp $29 |
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| 100 Hr Candle $8 |
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| UCO Candle Lantern $18 |
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| Sportsman Head Lamp $7 |
Here are a few lighting options that I offer.
A propane lantern can be used indoors for short periods of time under constant adult supervision.
Communication
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| 2 Way Radio $96 |
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| 16 mile 2 way radio $42 |
Don't Forget!
- Flashlights and Batteries
- Blackout Flash Light
- Easy make foods ( enough to last from now till the end of February)
- Don't open your fridge
- Accessible warm clothing
- Keep up on Laundry
- Charge your Phones
- Have a Plan ahead of time!
If you are unwilling to live in survival mode a Generator will keep your comfortable, keep your TV and computer running, Fridge and Freezer powered up and maybe even your washer washing... But where's the fun in that?
Always think ahead when doing something that is new or unfamiliar to you. Use commonsense or ask for help to keep your family safe if you are uncertain about anything. Your gut will often help you find the best solution to your present situation!
Something that I always keep as a first resource...WHEN IN DOUBT... Pray about it!
Good luck getting prepared for tomorrow!!
These are ideas and tips, there are endless way to prepare and plan ahead.
If you have preparedness tips or want to share your story please comment! It's always best to learn from others experiences!
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