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Power outages suck. We have all become so dependent on electricity, when it’s off, we’re left feeling a little discombobulated. It isn’t just the boredom that can be a drag. Personal safety becomes an issue.
There’s also the safety of your food in the fridge and freezer to think about. Getting through a power outage isn’t difficult. In the first hours, it’s a novel thing. Then it gets old in a hurry.Â
Being prepared for a power outage can keep things in the fun lane. You won’t have to worry about the food in the freezer or tripping over something because you have no light. In fact, you might even enjoy being unplugged for a while.Â
Whether it’s three hours or three days, you can prepare for the next power outage with these tips.Â
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1. Fill Your Freezer with Bottles of Water
Keep several bottles of water in your freezer. Don’t toss out that empty water bottle, fill it about three quarters of the way up. If the power goes out, the frozen bottles will keep the internal temperature of your freezer cool. If you don’t have much food, put it in an ice chest and use the frozen bottles to keep it cold.Â
2. Use Solar-Powered Yard Lights
Keep solar lights outside during the day and bring them inside at night for bright lighting. You can buy these at the dollar store. They are pretty bright and if you’d prefer not to deal with candles or worry about batteries, solar lights are the way to go.
3. Mirrors and Candles
A small candle might not put out a lot of light, but you can amplify it with a mirror on one side. It will reflect the light in the room. Compact mirrors are cheap. Check thrift stores or visit the dollar store to get these. A tiny tealight with a mirror can be two to three times as bright.Â
4. Seal Off Unused Rooms
Close off rooms you aren’t using to conserve heat in winter or cool air in summer. You can use blankets or curtains to do this. If you have an open floor plan, you can create a space with blankets.
In winter, bring the whole family into one room. Body heat will keep the room warm. In the heat of summer, going to the northernmost part of the house or into basement will help you keep cool. Buy cheap curtains and blankets secondhand to prepare for this.
5. Keep Battery-Powered Lanterns Handy
Buy LED lanterns. They provide brighter light and last longer than candles. In the summer, this is a better choice because it won’t heat up the house. LED use a lot less juice and will last longer. Make sure you have extra batteries.Â
6. Utilize Your Fireplace or Wood Stove
If you have a wood stove, stock up on firewood. Your woodstove will also give you a way to cook or heat meals.Â
7. Stock Extra Clothing
In the dead of winter, you need to stay warm. Have extra layers on hand. A size up is beneficial to making it all fit. Beanies, gloves and wool socks are all great options.Â
8. Use Hand Warmers
These can go a long way to keeping you warm in a winter power outage. Keep a stash of hand warmers on hand. Buy in bulk. They can be used in your socks, pockets or sleeping bag.Â
9. Store Canned Foods
Keep a stock of canned foods that don’t require cooking. You can eat cold canned food. It might not taste great, but it is edible. If you have a wood stove or candles, you can heat up the cans. Make sure to store a can opener and a backup.
10. Flashlights and Headlamps
Keep several flashlights in easily accessible places. Ideally, you will want in each room in case the power goes out at night. You don’t want to be stumbling into something. Headlamps allow you to be hands-free while you take care of chores.Â
11. Security Lights
These lights plug into an outlet and only come on when the power is lost. You can set the brightness. The lights can be pulled from the outlet and used as a flashlight. A fully charged light can provide hours of light.Â
12. Motion Lights
These are battery-powered and can be put in the bathroom, and stair areas in the kitchen. Buy in bulk for better savings.Â
13. Stockpile Extra Gas
Keep extra gas for your generator and your car. If the power outage is area wide, gas pumps won’t work in most cases. You can use your car as a charging station for small devices. And in worst case scenarios, you can sit in the car and warm up if necessary.Â
14. Small Solar Panel
These small portable panels are inexpensive. They’ll provide enough juice to charge phones and tablets.Â
15. Portable Power Banks
These devices are fairly compact. Keep them charged and ready for use. Depending on the quality of the power bank you buy, you can get a couple of charges for your phone.Â
16. Generator
This is a no-brainer, but if you have the funds, a generator, even a small one, can go a long way to providing a sense of normalcy. If the generator is big enough, use it to keep your fridge and freezer running. Solar-powered generators are hot on the market right now. This will eliminate the need for gas.Â
17. Bottled Water
If you’re on city water, it will still come out of the tap, but if the city water source has no power, there’s a good chance it’s not being purified and safe for drinking. If you are on a well, you won’t have power to run the pump. Keep water on hand for drinking and for flushing toilets and basic cleaning.Â
18. Books, Puzzles and Board Games
You’d be surprised how boring life is when there’s no power. If you have kids, they’re really going to be bored. Have some non-electrical entertainment on and. Younger kids might appreciate crayons and color books. Craft items are also a good way to pass the time. If you have a knitter, keep a basket of yarn.Â
19. Camp Stove
A camp stove is a good tool to have on hand. It allows you to cook and boil water if you don’t have enough potable water stored. You’ll want to have extra bottles of propane on hand for the stove as well.Â
20. LED Candles
Eliminate the fire risk with inexpensive LED candles. You can buy the nicer ones that have remotes or head to the dollar store to load up on the cheap ones. When you’re buying the candles, check to see what kind of batteries, if any, the candles use. Avoid the ones that require the watch style batteries. They’re great, but the batteries are expensive and harder to come by.Â
21. Candles
Candles in general are fine, but if you can get your hands on actual emergency candles, they are much brighter. Make sure you have candlesticks on hand. And small saucers or bowls to catch the wax and prevent a mess. Jar candles are an option, but they are not as bright. Also, you’ll want to be careful about burning too many scented candles.Â
22. Glowsticks
The cheap ones that the kids love can serve as a night light or add to a stairway to illuminate the steps. The kids will love playing with them and it’s a good way to keep track of the kids in the dark. You can also buy larger ones that are meant to light up a room. Keep them in a cool place until you’re ready to use them.Â
23. Matches/Lighters
You’ll need a fire source for your candles or to light your stove. If you have a yard and fire pit, you’ll want a fire out back. Once again, head back to the dollar store and buy a couple of boxes along with some lighters.Â
24. Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is a good in-between option when you don’t have a lot of extra water. Set up a handwashing station with soap, a jug of water and sanitizer.Â
25. Crank Radio
A crank radio doesn’t rely on batteries. Most of the crank radios have flashlights as well. You’ll need to stay updated on weather and other emergency alerts.Â
26. Disposable Plates and Cutlery
You’ll still be eating, but you’re not going to have the water to wash dishes. And especially not hot water. Keep a stash of paper plates and cutlery. Make sure you keep the stash separate from everyday use. You don’t want to get caught without them when the power goes out.Â
27. Mr. Heater
If you can afford it, a Mr. Heater is a good option to have for winter power outages. The heaters rely on propane, and you might think that’s not safe to use indoors, but these heaters are safe to use. They put out a lot of heat and have safety switches to prevent overheating or excessive carbon monoxide. There are different sizes of heaters depending on your needs.Â
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