Prepare your home for a winter storm
If you’re worried about being snowed in without power for a day or more, there are a few other areas where you might stock up:
Get ready for grilling
No gas stove? No problem! If you have an outdoor grill, get necessities like charcoal, matches, newspapers and lighter fluid. If you have a gas grill, get a full propane tank. You can also use a camping stove if you have a supply of the appropriate fuel. A tea kettle and French press will come in handy to make your morning coffee by the heat of the fire.
Maintain your generator
If you have an emergency backup generator, you’ll want to top off your fuel supply and replace old fuel that may be stale. Ensure the generator is up to date for maintenance with oil changes, filters and spark plugs, and ensure that any extension cords you’re using are undamaged and rated for generator use. If you want to run your generator through your main electrical panel but haven’t had an electrician install a transfer switch, get this service done before you have a blizzard bearing down.
Ice down the icebox
You can help your refrigerator and freezer maintain cold temperatures during a power outage by filling empty spaces with water containers – or, better yet, ice. If outdoor temperatures are below freezing, you can freeze several large containers of water at once and keep them cycling in and out of your fridge and freezer, just in case.
Another option is to use dry ice, which maintains a temperature of -109° F. If you can obtain dry ice locally right before or after a power outage, you can use it to save your perishables if you replace it promptly. The FDA recommends 50 pounds of dry ice to keep a fully stocked 18-foot cubic freezer frozen for two days; to fine-tune the temperature of your fridge and freezer with dry ice, it will help to have a couple of refrigerator thermometers.
Top off the gas tank
While gathering all these supplies, don’t forget to fill up your car’s gas tank. Winter storms could interrupt fuel deliveries in your area.
