Blog: What to Do When the Power Goes Out

Being in a power outage can be very frustrating. Here is some advice that may help you the next time there is a storm and you lose power for a few or more days.

To avoid darkness:

Attach a strip of glow-in-the-dark tape to your flashlights to make them easy to find.
Invest in headlamps. You will have your hands free and can even read a book in bed while wearing one.
Stock up on kerosene lamps (visit secondhand stores and flea markets), lamp oil, and wicks before the next storm.
Buy candles when they are on sale (after-Christmas sales are great!). It doesn't matter if they are all red!

To stay warm:

As soon as the power goes out, drape all windows with blankets or whatever you have. Uncover south-facing windows during the day to let in the Sun's warmth.
Select one room in which people—and pets—can spend most of their time together. Close off the doorway and try to let the collective body heat accumulate in that room.
Call shelters and hotels to see if they will allow pets, in case you need to leave your home and bring your pets.

Cooking and eating:

Have potluck dinners with your neighbors and take turns hosting. You'll be eating better and getting to know your neighbors at the same time.
Use your outdoor grill for cooking, but only outdoors. Never use one indoors. Look for great recipes in our database.

To avoid damage:

Protect water pipes from freezing by wrapping them with layers of newspapers and then plastic wrap.
To avoid damage from falling branches, don't park your cars under trees.
Open your refrigerator or freezer door only when absolutely necessary. Plan ahead to minimize the time the door is open.
Fill clean plastic milk jugs with water and put outside to freeze solid (if the weather is cold enough). Put these jugs into coolers, which can serve as temporary refrigerators.
Take your houseplants to your workplace or a friend's house.

For folks who lose their water when the power goes out:

Fill up your bathtub with water when a storm threatens (for washing and flushing).
Pack snow in buckets and bring indoors to melt.

Do you have any helpful power outage tips? Please share them below.