10 tips for when power (or just the heat) goes out!

I’m thinking of everyone currently experiencing weather they never thought they would. While I write this it’s specifically Texas in the moment, but it could happen anywhere. (Ok, it’s unlikely in the tropics, but they have other issues they deal with I suppose.) We all kind of “get used to” the weather hazards which are normal for the area we live in. I am from Vermont. We see a diverse weather pattern, but the most severe comes in the winter. We often experience severe (potentially life threatening) cold, snow, and ice. During the worst of it also happens to be when we are at the highest risk to lose power. This is the best way I currently have to help, so here it is.

10 Quick tips for when you lose power, or just the heat!

First five!

1. Know where your water shut off valve is! If your pipes freeze you may have a whole new problem to deal with and it is NO JOKE! Without experience dealing with frozen water and what it can do this is a hazard you may not see coming. If your pipes do freeze keep an eye out for leaky pipes when everything starts to thaw. You may even find water gushing into places you don’t want it. Be ready to turn off your water at the main valve in your home if need be.
2. Open the cupboards. Particularly those with plumbing! This will keep them closer to the inside temperature than the outside one.
3. Have flashlights, candles and matches (or a lighter) and keep them where you can easily find them! Owning a radio that doesn’t rely on the grid really can make a difference, as can previously charged power sources for electronics.
4. Keep the heat in! Do not open the doors more than absolutely necessary. Plan with those in your household to go in and out at the same time whenever possible. Look around for drafty areas and cover them with blankets. (You can never have too many blankets!) If you do go outside to help with the cabin-fever try to do it during the warmest part of the day. Obviously if you have to go to work you have less control over this. Also, if there is snow do what you can to push it against the ground around your foundation (or skirting in a trailer). It insulates! Moving keeps you warm too, but do not exert yourself into a sweat.
5. Try to have a central room or area where everyone congregates. Five people in one room will naturally heat better than 5 rooms with 1 person in each. Also, clearly it is easier to heat one room than 5, or even 2.

Ok, these next ones may get a little more in depth-

6- I personally hate using electric space heaters. I think they are wasteful, and expensive to run.

They also should have someone watching them, just in case, and it’s not recommended to plug them into anything other than a wall outlet. (that means no extension cords ect.) I also insist on owning one. It at least takes a little pressure off the main heater/furnace when there is finally power. It also helps when the power is on, but the main heating source is out. I do a lot of baking and laundry when the power comes back on to be honest. Any essential items that do not depend on electricity are an advantage, and a far better option. Given the particular situation in Texas I’d take it easy on anything reliant on electricity for a bit, even after things are “back to normal” I severely miss having a woodstove or an old gas range. They make a lifechanging difference in these situations.

7- Heating hacks and warm food!

Candles, a backing rack, and a terra cotta pot (or some bricks) can make an emergency stove/heat source. Not a great one, but if you’ve been without any heat in your house for several hours a warm meal can do wonders! I can’t seem to find the photo I had of one I made, I’ll make another and take pictures for a bit of a tutorial when I get home. It will also add heat to the room it’s in, but keep it small, and in a safe place like your stove! I now actually have an emergency camp stove in my house as well. Oh, and if the sun is out check and see if it feels warm near any windows. If it does, take advantage of the greenhouse effect.

8- Speaking of secondary heaters…

(This one is more about being prepared ahead of time) If you have the possibility to own a secondary heat source do it. Especially one that does not rely on electricity.

9- Food.

Make purposeful choices about food! You will lose food in your fridge first. Open the fridge as little as possible, but eat that first if you are concerned with wasting food you have in there. Food in your freezer will likely last longer than you think as long as you don’t panic and open it to check constantly. If you put a coin on top of a frozen ice cube tray you’ll know if it has begun to thaw. You can even tell how severely it’s thawed using this method, but the purpose of this post is to keep it as simple as possible. I also always keep canned goods my kids like in the house though they do tend to gravitate toward that for some reason.

10. Finally for my last tip,

as often happens I feel the need to remind you how much mindset impacts everything around us. Make it fun! As much as is possible, make it about staying cozy, and think about it like camping. Especially for the kids! Scared kids get cranky. Cranky kids make everything harder! Do your best and remind yourself, and your children it’s an adventure you’ll be proud to have survived when it’s over! Pull out the blankets, books, games, make hot chocolate if you can, and remind each other you love them.