January
2006
Ice
Storm? Here's What You'll Want
Tips
for winter power outages
This
may prove to be a winter of weird weather. You don't want
to get caught short in a sudden ice storm. Here's what
you'll want if the power goes out:
You'll
want to see. Winter nights are dark, especially if there
are no security or streetlights shining. Gather flashlights, battery-powered
lanterns and extra batteries. Don't use light sources that require
flames or dangerous fuels.
You'll
want to drink, bathe and use the restroom. If you depend
on a well, fill clean jugs or water coolers for drinking. Then
fill large containers or buckets for household uses, like flushing
toilets. You can also use the bathtub as a water reservoir.
You'll
want to eat. Choose nonperishable foods that don't require
cooking, like canned fruit, powered milk, peanut butter, bread
and crackers. Buy a manual can opener for your home. If you decide
to cook on a grill or a camp stove, go outside to avoid carbon
monoxide poisoning.
Open
freezers and refrigerators as little as possible. Food will keep
longer if doors remain closed. Check food for spoilage before
cooking or serving.
| |
| Flush
toilets when the water is off by lifting the lid on the
tank and filling to the fill line marked on the inside.
The toilet will operate as normal. You'll
need to repeat the process each time. |
You'll
want to stay warm. Gather up blankets, sleeping bags
and extra clothes. Don't forget the hat-up to 30 percent
of body heat can be lost through the head and neck.
Be
careful when using alternate heating sources. Some are not approved
for indoor use and present a fire or carbon monoxide hazard. Do
not use charcoal indoors.
Conserve
emergency heat by staying in one room. Select a room without large
windows and away from prevailing winds. Stuff towels, blankets
or rugs in cracks around doors. Hang blankets over openings
that don't have doors and over windows at night. Open doors
as little as possible and shut them quickly if you do have to
leave the room.
You'll
want information. Get a portable AM/FM radio and extra
batteries. Several manufacturers now make portables with a hand
crank generator built in, eliminating the need for batteries.
You may also want a NOAA weather radio to receive weather advisories
and warnings.
A
wind-up or battery-operated alarm clock may come in handy. Cordless
phones won't work without electricity, so have at least one hard-wired
phone.
If
you have access to a battery-powered laptop, check the Storm
Center during the outage for more information and updates.
You'll
want to protect loved ones. Have a contingency plan in
place for patients who have a medical necessity for electricity.
This includes backup power or an alternate location until
the outages is over.
