When the Lights Go Out: 6 Tips for Surviving Without Power

It's that time of year again when severe weather can cause the power to flicker and go out, causing major disruptions in your job, your kids' school, and your day-to-day life. A temporary outage is rarely more than an inconvenience. But when a storm or natural disaster causes massive power outages across a city or state, it can be days or even weeks before power is restored. It is possible to keep your family healthy and safe during such a trying time with proper preparation, resources, and a little creativity, too.

Here are six tips you can employ when the lights go out.

1. Stash Food. Unfortunately, you won't be able to rely on a stove to cook meals and your water supply may be contaminated, if processing facilities have also lost power. Stock up now on gallons of water, nonperishable foods, disposable dishes, and a manual can opener. Consider peanut butter sandwiches, chips, power bars, and powdered milk. You can also include prepackaged meats--tuna, chicken, jerky--and dried fruits, boxed juices, and treats like Pop Tarts to round out your diet. You should plan for at least 3-4 days of food for your family, but don't forget food and water for your pets, too.

No time to stash? Get friendly. Corral all non-perishables right away and consider combining resources with a friend or neighbor. They might have a camp stove that pairs nicely with your instant macaroni & cheese.

2. Stay Warm. Keep kids bundled up in the same room even in the same sleeping bags or bed and avoid opening doors and windows as much as possible, which will make the temperature drop more quickly. If you have a wood-burning stove, now is a good time to stoke the heat. No fireplace? Consider hanging out with neighbors or take the kids to a store or library where there is heat. And don't be afraid to seek out Red Cross shelters, which will likely be opened in your area if power is out for more than a day or so.

Most importantly, watch for signs of hypothermia. According to FEMA, this includes uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. Get your child to a warm place, offer a warm drink, and get help immediately.

Take note! Never use a charcoal grill or unventilated propane or kerosene heaters to heat your home. Carbon monoxide and other fumes from these sources can be deadly.

3. Get Creative. If you can ride out the outage in your house, fill up bathtubs and keep a bucket nearby to use when flushing toilets. Extra water is helpful for sponge baths in the sink and making sure Fido has enough to drink without dipping into the family's emergency supply.

Stack frozen food together in the freezer so it stays colder longer. According to the USDA, a full freezer can keep food at a safe temperature for up to 48 hours without any electricity. Food in the fridge will only remain safe to eat for about 4 hours. To keep food in the fridge safer, use a cooler filled with snow from outside.

4. Consider Safety. We take it for granted how often we wash our hands, bathe, rinse food, and generally keep our family free from health hazards. Keep on hand extra wet wipes, hand sanitizer, and medicines like triple antibiotic ointment. Make sure you have extra batteries for flashlights, radios and even for cell phones, if possible.

5. Keep Cash. It's always a good idea to keep a hundred dollars or so in small bills somewhere safe, in case of emergencies. When the power is out, you might not have access to bank accounts or ATMs. Cash allows you instant access to supplies, gasoline, and other amenities.

6. House Ready. If you do have to leave your home for more than 24 hours, go to the breaker box and shut off power to the home, as well as to the water heater, furnace, sump pump, etc. Unplug appliances, turn down the thermostat, and close gas valves. It's also a good idea to turn off the water supply, leave the faucets on so they drain, and cover any exposed pipes with insulation. Lastly, empty the fridge and freezer of food so it doesn't spoil and prop doors open so mold doesn't grow.

When you re-enter your home, take care not to light matches. Switch on power and let the house come to a normal temperature before plugging in and turning on other appliances. If you have questions, contact your electric and water companies for advice. For more advice about surviving winter weather, go to http://www.ready.gov/winter.

Sidebar: If you have pets, call your local veterinarian and ask where you might be able to board your pet should you have to evacuate the house. Most shelters, community centers, and hotels won't allow pets.

Jen Henderson is a freelance writer specializing in issues of weather safety and emergency preparedness. She lives in Virginia with her husband and five cats, who, when the power goes out, help keep her warm.