• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Women Deserve Better

Women Deserve Better: For us, that means better information, better support, and better choices. Life brings challenges. We bring empowerment, because we’ll never underestimate women.

  • Work
    • Find a Job
    • Build a Career
    • Take Maternity Leave
    • Thrive As a Working Parent
    • Know Your Rights at Work
  • Learn
    • Earn Your Degree As a Parent
    • Know Your Rights on Campus
    • Finance Your Education
    • Medical Care for Student Moms
    • Housing for Student Parents
    • Child Care While You’re In Class
  • Live
    • Child Care
    • Feeding Your Family
    • Elder Care
    • Housing
    • Clothes
    • Medical Care
    • Getting Around
    • Money Matters
    • Gardening
    • Special Needs
    • Fun
    • Self-Help
  • Love
    • Adoption
    • Bonding
    • Fathers
    • Your Parents
    • Relationship Safety
    • Support Networks
  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Contributors
  • Shop
    • Shop
    • View Cart/Checkout
  • Support Us
  • Donate
  • Home

What to Do in a Power Outage

December 5, 2022 by Bethanie Ryan

One of the biggest annoyances even on a good day is a power outage. When there’s snow and ice outside, it can feel even worse. Here are some ideas to get through a power outage.

Stock up in advance. Items to buy include:

  • Flashlights and batteries
  • Non-perishable food items that do not require cooking, for example: peanut butter, canned meats, and canned fruits.
  • If you have pets, water and food for them
  • Water
  • Coolers to store food
  • Manual can opener
  • A way to charge your phone, such as an external battery or a solar charger
  • Gasoline (The best tip is to not let your vehicle get below a half tank, especially in winter.)
  • Hand, feet, and back warmers
  • Blankets, especially wool and sleeping bags
  • Battery operated radio
  • Battery operated TV with antenna
  • Generator, if you can afford one
  • If weather that may cause an outage is in the forecast, put bags of water in the freezer to freeze and help keep the rest of the food cold when the power goes out.
  • If you have a medical condition that requires something electronic for treatment, make a plan before an outage with your doctor on what to do.

What to do when in a power outage:

  1. Unplug all of your electronics, especially computers and TVs.
  2. Close the curtains and blinds when the sun doesn’t hit that side of the house to keep warmth in. 
  3. Keep going in and out the door to a minimum.
  4. If you are concerned about your perishables, move them outside onto a porch. Put them somewhere safe from animals and perhaps in coolers.
  5. Keep water use to a minimum. Only flush when necessary, and keep baths to a minimum. While you are keeping water use from the faucet to a minimum, do drink plenty of water from your supplies.
  6. Keep phone use to a minimum. Turn the screen brightness down and turn off apps you don’t need. Also, keep in mind that sometimes texts will go through even if calling is difficult and vice versa.
  7. Layer up your clothes and blankets. Don’t feel weird about wearing a hat and/or gloves to bed.
  8. If you’re using a generator, make sure it is properly ventilated and that you follow the manufacturer’s directions when operating. Keep generators away from all windows, doors, and vents that could draw air indoors. Better yet, don’t get an indoor generator.
  9. Keep an eye out for frostbite or hypothermia. Symptoms of frostbite include pale extremities and losing feeling in that area. Symptoms of hypothermia include memory loss, slurred speech, uncontrollable shivering, and exhaustion. If you suspect these, get into the warmest area in your house and call 911.

Power outages are a pain, but they can also be a blessing. Have games and books stashed away to make the power outage a relaxing bonding time for the family. With some planning ahead and some safety precautions, power outages are not something to be worried about.

By Bethanie Ryan

Filed Under: Housing, Live, Money Matters

Primary Sidebar

Featured Articles

  • How to Apply for a College Scholarship
  • Is an Assumable Loan Right for You?
  • Keeping Your Child Home When Sick
  • How to Choose a Babysitter
  • What are Tenant Unions and How Can They Help You
fb-share-icon

Footer

Women Deserve Better

22 hours ago

Women Deserve Better
What's the best part of having kids? Watching them grow up. What's the worst part of having kids? Watching them grow up. ... See MoreSee Less

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Women Deserve Better

2 days ago

Women Deserve Better
Learning to navigate confusing systems while also trying to cope with change can be hard, but asking for help is not only OK—it is a sign of strength. Our society often doesn’t make it easy and is quick to judge, but a lot of people need help and a lot of people want to help. You are not alone. Each new challenge you conquer will make you stronger and, in the long run, will help you help your family and others.Learn where to find help paying for housing here: www.womendeservebetter.com/where-to-find-help-paying-for-housing ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

womendeservebetter

What's the best part of having kids? Watching them What's the best part of having kids? Watching them grow up. What's the worst part of having kids? Watching them grow up.

#watchingbabiesgrow #babiesgrowtoofast #babiesgrowingup 

From @thedorefam
Learning to navigate confusing systems while also Learning to navigate confusing systems while also trying to cope with change can be hard, but asking for help is not only OK—it is a sign of strength. Our society often doesn’t make it easy and is quick to judge, but a lot of people need help and a lot of people want to help. You are not alone. Each new challenge you conquer will make you stronger and, in the long run, will help you help your family and others.

Learn where to find help paying for housing, link in bio.

#helpwithhousing #housinghelp #housing #payingforhousing
Love each other and love your body!

❤️❤️❤️

#fixeachotherscrowns #loveyourself #loveyourbody
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Thanks for signing up!

GET OUR LATEST NEWS

ABOUT

  • Our Mission
  • Contributors

SUPPORT US

  • Donate
  • Become a Partner
  • Share Your Story or Your Expertise
  • Promote Women Deserve Better

Women Deserve Better: For us, that means better information, better support, and better choices. Life brings challenges. We bring empowerment, because we’ll never underestimate women.

Copyright © 2023 — Feminists for Life of America • All rights reserved.