How to Prepare if Your Power Goes Out This Winter

It’s Sunday night, and you’re tucked in on the couch watching Netflix. Five minutes into The Queen’s Gambit, your TV screen goes black and all the lights in your home turn off. Even the fridge and dishwasher are completely powerless. What now?

A power outage is something that just might happen during the winter season. Power outages can be caused by strong wind, heavy snow or ice, storm surge, or a vehicle that hit a power pole. The more you do to prepare, the greater the likelihood you will be comfortable when the lights go out. If you’re well prepared, a power outage will be nothing more than an inconvenience. Keep reading for our top tips!

Know The Risks and Be Prepared

Having enough knowledge and preparedness can go a long way. Take time for some pre-winter home maintenance:

• Fix broken roof and pipes
• Keep the door and windows shut tight
• Know how to shut off water valves
• Shut off exterior faucets
• Clear your eaves
• Have chimney inspected
• Inspect all weather stripping

Find out what the hazards are in your region and know the risks specific to your community. Anticipate that there will be an outage, and make an emergency and evacuation plan (Don’t forget to make sure your home is protected with the right home insurance!).

Get Emergency Supplies Ready

Put together an emergency survival kit specifically made for a winter season outage:

• Flash light
• Candles, matches, lighters
• Lantern or oil lamp
• Batteries
• First aid kit
• Medicines
• Blanket and warm clothing
• Insect repellents
• Make sure your vehicle is in good working order in case you need to evacuate
• Make sure your vehicle has at least a half a tank of gas
• It’s a good idea to make sure your car has winter tires this time of year

Stock Up On Food And Water

Before winter hits, stock your pantry with non-perishable food and bottled water. Don’t forget about your pet! Make sure you have enough food for your furry friends. Stock up on foods that don’t require warming or cooking. Canned and instant food are your friend in the event of a blackout. Make sure you have a manual can opener on hand.

Protect Your Electronics and Appliances

If you do find yourself without power, there are a few things you need to do to protect your electronics and appliances:

• Switch off your lights and unplug your electrical appliances to avoid power-surge problems. Don’t forget these electrical appliances when turning things off:
  • TV
  • Computer
  • Refrigerator
  • Air Conditioner
  • Other heavy machines
• Conserve electronics’ batteries. Don’t use mobile phones, laptops, and power banks unless necessary.
• Don't open your freezer, or fridge unless it is absolutely necessary.
• You can protect sensitive electrical appliances with a surge-protecting power bar.
• Check breakers or fuses and the power lines to your house. If the lines are damaged or down, remember to stay back and call the electric company.
• Have your battery-powered radio/ TV ready to stay updated with the news.

Secure Your Home Insurance Coverage

It’s important to protect your home during the winter season. Insuring your home in preparation for the Winter season will bring you peace of mind. Speaking to a BrokerLink insurance broker is a great way to learn more about the types of coverage available, and to hone in on which ones are most relevant for your property. Let BrokerLink help you find home insurance.

Give yourself the tools to make a more informed decision when choosing your home insurance by speaking with a broker. Get a quote with BrokerLink today. Get a competitive online quote within 5 minutes with our home insurance quote tool!

FAQs on Winter Power Outage:

How long does a power outage usually last during winter?

Most power outages only last a few seconds or minutes. In rare cases, outages can last days or even weeks. It all depends on the circumstances surrounding the outage.

How can I keep warm in the winter during a power outage?

• Stock cans of food and beverages that are easy to warm up.
• Store a back-up heating device that’s safe to use indoors.
• Prepare your home in advance to be as energy-efficient as possible to keep the heat in and the cold out.
• Wear a hat, shoes, or slippers and dress warmly in layers.
• Stockpile blankets and warm clothing.

How can I heat a room without electricity?

Here are a few tricks that will help you stay warm in the event of a power outage:

• Portable heater
• Wood burning stove or fireplace
• Propane heaters
• Candles
• Properly sealed windows and doors
• Take advantage of sunlight