01/24/2026
Advance emergency planning is a good idea, especially this weekend. What other things do you do before a storm?
No heat no power? Here are some tips for you.
And please add your tips as well!
Share share share!
- boil water, fill 2l bottles, and wrap them in towels or blankets to keep heat as long as possible.
- charge old laptops to use as charging devices during power outages.
- buy cheap dollar store solar driveway lights, they will work great in illuminating your home.
- electric blanket plugged into a battery pack is an easy way to stay warm, they don't use much power.
- pitch a tent indoors to stay warm. You want to focus and keep the little heat you can produce in the smallest space.
- keep family in one room, preferably a southern-facing room.
- line door cracks with rolled up towels.
- if you use a Buddy heater, have a carbon monoxide detector. (Even if that heater has a CO detector built in).
- Cover/wrap freezer in blankets
- use outside BBQ to cook meals.
- cover outside doors with bedsheets.
- make sure car's fuel is full prior to storms.
- use car to charge devices, and to warm up when needed.
- cheap car inverters that plug into cigarette plug can be used to power coffeemaker.
- fill bathtub with water to have toilet flushing water.
- candles are a good source of heat in a small space.
- close off unused rooms
- close drapes or cover windows with blankets at night.
- keep medical devices charged.
- stock pantry with non-perishable food that doesn't require cooking.
- keep fridge/freezer opening to a minimum. Food can stay frozen for 24-36 hours if doors stay closed.
- check on elderly neighbors!
Add your tips/tricks below!
(Tom)
