What to do When the Power Goes Out During a Snowstorm
Some of us woke up without power in the middle of this random midweek snowstorm. Since we are still in the middle of a snowstorm warning, who knows how long the power may remain out. And not to mention, in the Midwest, we’re never really sure when winter will truly be done with us. We could experience a few more snowstorms, which means power outages are always a concern. Don’t panic, losing power during a snowstorm is a little scary and super inconvenient, but there are a few things you can do to ride out the storm and wait for the power to come back on.
1. Dressing warm and adding layers will help you stay warm until the heat comes back on.
2. If you’re worried about your pipes freezing, turn on your faucets just enough to allow water to slowly drip out of the tap.
3. Try not to open your refrigerator or freezer if at all possible. The food inside can last longer if you leave to doors shut.
4. In order to avoid a power surge when the power does come back on, turn off/unplug your desktop computers, televisions, lights (you may want to leave one on, so you know when the power is back on) and any other electronic devices that aren’t necessary.
5. If your home has a fireplace or a wood stove, go ahead and use it for warmth. (Do Not Use any outdoor heating devices like grills, kerosene heaters or BBQs inside your home. These devices pose a major carbon monoxide risk when used indoors).
6. If you have neighbors who are elderly or have medical conditions, check on them. Especially, if these neighbors use medical equipment that requires electricity. Ensure they are dressed warmly and call 911 if they are in need of medical assistance.
7. If you happen to own a portable generator, do not turn it on if you haven’t had it installed or inspected by a certified electrician. Generators are extremely dangerous when not properly installed and maintained. Better safe than sorry!
8. You can use your smartphone to check on the status of the power outage, by logging onto your service providers website for the latest updates. Minor power outages during a winter snowstorm can be manageable. However, if the power will be out for an extended period, you’ll want to stay up to date on the status of the power outage.
Be safe, stay warm and dream of the warm summer days ahead!
Be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram
Financing
Options
Winning Team