How to Prepare and What to Do If the Power goes out in Winter

FREE GUN FRIDAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0. Caldwell Target, Steiner Optics Micro Pistolsight, and a Viktos gift certificate. Close (Photo by WikiMedia commons) As tensions rise in Ukraine and China eyes Taiwan it will be a dangerous time for the USA. Already, President Biden stated that war will lead to higher gas prices and increased energy prices. Not to mention Putin’s threat against America of “consequences that you’ve never seen” if America gets involved. I don’t know what that means. It is still winter, and if the power goes off, it will be a difficult month. RELATED STORY Urban escape: Personal safety & security survival tips What to do when the power goes out in winter As I said, I can’t tell you what Putin’s warning means. I don’t think Putin would try to invade or bomb us. He would lose the argument. I can see the danger in attacking our power grids, and other infrastructure. We are without power after a few clever hacks. I live in the northeast, and our winters can be very hard to handle. It is not uncommon for us to live in temperatures below zero for weeks at a time. Fortunately, I live in a house with a generator. Many people in my small town have one. A generator is a great solution for winter power outages, provided you have gas. A generator may not always be an option. Gas will be scarce in the event of retribution by a country such as Russia or China. You can keep some gas on hand, but it will only last so long. A generator is useless for heat and other utilities for apartment dwellers. Because you don’t have access to the furnace. You don’t want to run the generator in an enclosed area. Preparing early will help you avoid the worst. I keep a personal emergency kit in my bag that I can grab in case of a tornado or power outage. It allows me to quickly put in my emergency plan and ensure our safety if the power goes out. It is crucial to act quickly when it is below zero outside and there is no power. The following items are part of my kit: Lantern (battery-operated) A few lanterns can be very useful in an emergency. There is nothing worse than being in the dark when it comes to emergency situations. While I love flashlights and rechargeable devices, I prefer a battery-operated lantern in my emergency kit. It is impossible to predict how long an outage will last and there may not be any way to recharge it. Candles Candles are an excellent alternative to lanterns. They don’t require power and can light up a room quite well. Pay attention to their movements. Flashlight Flashlights are essential in an emergency situation. A few flashlights can make it easy to have sufficient mobile lighting. I prefer battery-operated flashlights, just like the lantern. Extra Batteries Ensure you have enough batteries for any battery-operated device, such as flashlights, lanterns, and walkie talkies. A large supply is a good idea if you have the money. You don’t know how long an outage will last. Power Bank A few power banks are handy to have on hand and keep charging. There are many levels of charging, including solar-powered charging bank that can provide quite a few. You can still use rechargeable flashlights and lanterns, even though they are battery-operated. Your phone won’t work in the event of a blackout. To preserve your battery life, turn it off. Crank Radio A small, crank radio is a must-have because it allows you to hear what’s happening. In the event of a complete blackout, however, there won’t be any radio signal. It is good to have a spare in case power is restored or emergency plans are in place. It should also have a weather band. Sleeping Bags Make sure you have enough sleeping bags for everyone in your family. Personally, I use the military modular sleeping system for my family. This way, we are protected for all temperatures, even zero. To add warmth, you can line your sleeping bags with blankets if this is not possible. Children and couples can benefit from body heat if you can find bags that zip together. Easy Food While it is always a good idea for your pantry to be stocked, it’s also a good idea to keep easy foods on hand. You can use freeze-dried foods like MREs, Ramen cups and MREs. These are great options that don’t need a complete cooking apparatus. Small Cooking System A small cooking system such as Sterno or a camp stove should work well. They don’t have to be able cook a gourmet meal. They can just make simple meals for survival. If you have to cook in your home, make sure it is on the stove and that it is being monitored at all times. Also, make sure you always have a fire extinguisher on hand. You should also ensure you have enough fuel to last the distance and not use it too often. It can be used to boil water to rehydrate freeze dried food. Instant Hand/Foot Warmer packs These can save your life. They heat up quickly and can last for several hours. They will keep your core warm if placed near your body. Catalytic Heater Although I am not sure if this is something I would recommend, in an emergency, a catalytic heater like the Mr. Heating can be life-saving. Although Mr. Heater is advertised as an indoor/outdoor heater there is still the risk of asphyxiation. Although it might seem counterproductive, if you are using one indoors, keep the area well ventilated. You will also need propane canisters. Talkie Talkie Although not essential, it is a good idea to have some means of communication with others in your local area. This is not a problem in the event of a normal outage, which could be restored within days. Communication is essential in the case of a more severe outage. Many walkie-talkies can provide useful information such as weather and other information. Water This is less important if you have city water. Water is more important if you live in rural areas with a well and pump. Water is essential for drinking, cooking, and flushing the toilet. There are steps you can take if the power goes out during winter. Keep the family together. The first thing you should do is to gather all the family in one place. Because it will hold in body heat to a lesser degree, a smaller room is better. Every little bit counts. Bring plenty of blankets. It’s a great way for your body heat to be absorbed by snuggling under blankets. Check for drafts and seal them. Go through your house and make sure all windows are sealed and closed. Check for drafts and leaks throughout your house. Seal any leaks or drafts that you find. Window winterizing kits can also be used to reduce cold seepage through windows. After everyone is settled in one place, close all doors throughout the house. This will ensure that there are no drafts and leaks from other rooms. This will ensure that heat generated in your chosen area stays there. Layers are important to keep warm. This is the time to use any wool you have in your home. You can also use your hunting or snowmobiling gear here. Keep Doors and Windows closed. Keep all doors and windows locked unless absolutely necessary. You can make a list of all the things you need to go out and then take care of them all. The heat in your house will be reduced dramatically by constantly opening and closing the outside doors. Entertainment It is often necessary to distract children from the hardships. Bring board games, coloring books, and other distractions if you have children. To keep them busy. You can also bring dice and cards for your adult children. Even if you are the only one playing solitaire, it is better than staring in the dark. You can also bring other hobbies or musicians along if you have them. Blackouts can be caused by renewable energy sources (like California and Texas) or unstable international climates. This is especially true during the winter months. It doesn’t have be life-threatening if you prepare well. While no amount of preparation can make it more comfortable than having power, it can be made tolerable. This will help you to stay positive and resilient when things get tough, especially in winter. Sign up for the Personal Defense World newsletter today to stay in the loop! Sign up for our newsletter I have read and understood the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy and I hereby accept them. Athlon may collect, store, process, and transfer my Personal Data and Non-Personal Data for the purpose of signing me up for the email newsletter. The Next NEBO Slim+ 1200 offers high-lumens and charging capabilities. This… by Personal Defense World / February 28, 2022. TrendingWhat to look for in Home Defense Shotgun Selection. This pistol is compact in size but can shoot full-size. This is yet another hybrid offering by the company, which combines accuracy and conceal carry. All at an affordable price that won’t stretch your […]
The Nighthawk Custom Treasurer, the Stuff Dream Building is Made Of

The Bond Arms Stinger has a more concealable, slimmer frame

SIG Sauer P365-380 adds a new caliber to the Micro-Compact

The SIG Sauer P210 Carry Adds Modern CCW Updates To the Legend

These 8 Big-Bore Revolver Calibers are what hand cannons are made of

The SCCY DVG1 Updated is Red Dot Ready and available in ten colors

6 Shotguns for Home Defense at SHOT Show 20022 Fit Every Preference

The Canik METE Series comes with many extras at an affordable price

The Mossberg 590S Pump Action Series Cycles Any Combination Of Shells

Rock River Arms Introduces the Assurance Carbine at SHOT Show 2020 Athlon Outdoors Network Network Tactical – Life Beretta 92D LT: One of a kind Thinking Man’s Gun Ballistic Magazine: Return to Basics: Combating the Rise of Violent Crime… Skillset Magazine 7 Steps That You Didn’t Know About Embalming a… Ballistic Magazine What the Sandy Hook Settlement Really Means for…

Interested in getting your Arizona CCW Permit?

Register today to get certified from the best instructor in the valley. CCW Permit classes available throughout the Greater Phoenix Area for just $49.99. Free fingerprinting included!

Share:

More Posts