Unexpected weather is flooding the planet, making power outages more common. Whether you live in an area where this is common or a new phenomenon, it is essential that you prepare for greater comfort and safety. Learn the best ways to deal with the cold until the lights come back on with our 5 strategies for dealing with sudden power loss in cold weather:
1. Have a pre-storm checklist
Your local weather team and community will do their best to warn residents of an approaching storm. Use a day or two before the expected weather event to take precautions to stay warm and ensure an adequate water supply. Here are some of the most effective ways to prepare your home for the freeze when power outages occur:
- Ensure adequate provision for generators, if applicable.
- Provide heating and lighting materials, such as firewood, flashlights and batteries for safety detectors.
- Contact veterinarians to seek professional advice on how to keep pets safe.
- Remove warm clothing and blankets from storage and accessible areas, and prioritize protecting limbs.
- Fill bathtubs with clean water if the pipes freeze. If necessary, isolate the water supply.
- Fully charge all phones and battery banks. Turn off devices or put them in airplane mode when not in use.
- Make a list of meals you can enjoy without the usual amenities.
Tell everyone in the house about the rules for solving the problem so that everyone is on the same page, for example where the emergency kit and supplies are. Additionally, connect with loved ones to ensure everyone has an action plan to minimize mental health stressors, especially if your phones stop working.
2. Stay calm
The advice feels useless in a stressful situation, but is most important for the greater good. It is essential to remain calm when preparing for and weathering an outage, especially in warmer climates such as Texas which rarely experience winter-related power outages.
Cold weather warnings and power outages could cause shortages in communities. To consider the toilet paper crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay level-headed and honest as you consider what is best for your household and neighborhood.
Calmness must translate into the communication you have with local authorities and energy companies. Each helping party receives curious calls for updates. It is best to reduce panic-induced calls so that professionals can devote their full attention to resolving the problem. You can request periodic updates, but staying warm should be your top priority.
3. Fortify the house
The building you are in needs as much attention as you do. There are ways to keep your warmth close to you and make the place as safe as possible. You can do several little things even after the freeze has started if you don’t have enough time to prepare, such as:
- Disconnect all electronics to prevent damage from power surges.
- Closing all blinds and curtains.
- Bringing needed supplies to a localized area.
- Place towels or rugs in drafty areas, such as under doors.
- Keep all doors and windows closed as much as possible.
4. Balance exercise and calorie intake
It feels good to snuggle up in a sea of blankets, but it’s not ideal for keeping the blood flowing and body temperature high. Always include exercise and a healthy diet if possible. You should avoid leaving the building unless necessary, especially if storms have downed trees or power lines. Instead, train and raise morale in your space, and reap more benefits through layered winter workout clothes in this way:
- Use moisture-wicking material on the layer closest to the skin. If you sweat, replace it with dry clothes after training to stay warm.
- Place insulation material over the moisture-wicking layer.
- Wear windproof fabrics on the outer layer.
Eat regularly, even if the cold hinders your appetite. It may be best to take smaller portions and graze for gradual, consistent intake. Food helps with body temperature, energy and mood. Keep caffeine and alcohol out of reach, even when they are hot or you are bored. These substances ensure that your body is less able to regulate itself.
5. Know what needs medical attention
The most prominent concerns about power loss are freezing and hypothermia. Learn how to reduce the volume of local medical facilities working overtime during an outage prevent and detect early signals of these conditions. Look for changes in skin color, numbing sensations, cognitive decline, breathing problems, and movement disorders.
You should also pay attention to the safety of food, water and medicine. Freezing temperatures affect the quality of these life-saving resources. For example, the effectiveness of a drug can change when exposed to irregular conditions, water treatment systems may not work.
Keeping morale high when temperatures are low
The frost may cover the windows, but the warmth will eventually return. Do as much preparation and research as possible while listening to recommendations from local experts. Using these strategies, you and your loved ones can survive a power outage in the most comfortable way possible.
Author biography
Oscar Collins is editor-in-chief of Modified, where he writes about health, fitness and more. Follow him on Twitter @TModded for regular updates on his work.
