Power outages can happen anytime, especially during ice and other storms. In a previous post, I provided tips on how to survive a nuclear attack, which incidentally can cause power outages (among other, more dreadful things). You can also check out how to prep for a hostage siege.
So let's say you're checking the weather, and there's a storm warning in effect that forecasts possible power outages, what do you do? How do you prepare? Here are a few tips:
1. Gather anything that creates light: Get your flashlights, candles, even glow sticks from the Dollar Store. Keep them in one place that can be easily accessed. If you have time, you can find headlamps at Costco and other such stores for such a time--nothing like being down a hand when you have to move around the house.
2. Get plenty of water: You should be stockpiling water in your home in case of emergency. If you don't have any, go get some. Bottled water has a pretty long shelf life, so you can keep it around. You should be storing a gallon (3.75 litres) of water per day per person for up to 3 days.
3. Have a First Aid Kit: This is important, especially if you're moving around a dark house. I've covered the basics of a first aid kit in another post, but the basics should be bandages, gauze, tape, scissors, isopropyl alcohol, and pain medication.
4. Batteries: There's nothing worse than going to fire up your flashlight and you're out of batteries. Keep a supply of them on-hand, preferably with your first aid kit and other sources of alternative light.
5. Keep gas tank full: In the event you need to go somewhere or travel up to your folks or in-laws where there is electricity, it's important you're gassed up. In emergency situations, you never know what it will be like at the pump--you could end on the wrong side of a gas shortage. This is good advice for any emergency situation.
6. Stock up on non-perishables: You're going to need to eat. Canned food can work. If you have a gas stove, then good on you. If you have an electrical stove, then you might be eating peanut butter for the next two days--could be worse. Add some chips and crackers to the peanut butter and you're golden. Energy bars are handy things to keep around that have a longer shelf life and can deliver quick energy. Simpler fare can be canned fruits, vegetables, and tuna--just make sure you have a mechanical can opener. If you have a propane BBQ or hibachi, you'll be eating well.
7. Heat source: The simplest way to stay warm is to layer clothing and blankets. If you have a hibachi grill or propane camping stove, you're good, but don't use them indoors.
8. Good tools: A good multi-tool, like a Leatherman Wingman or a basic Swiss Army knife will be invaluable during such outages and other such emergency situations. You'll want a couple on hand in the house and in your vehicle. Check out my MacGuyver survival kit for more information.
9. Stay informed: If you don't have a battery-powered short-wave radio, get one. You need to stay informed of any changes in weather, electrical power, etc. If cell phone towers are damaged during a storm, you'll be able to use neither your mobile device, nor computer for wifi.
10. Get books: Yes, there are games, sing-a-longs, and other things to keep you entertained, but going old school with candles and books is a great way to spend your time. Here are 5 books that are simple must-reads. Just imagine if anything were to happen long term to the internet: how would you learn? We've relied so heavily on ebooks that we've only got a single point of failure for human learning--think about it...
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