After dealing with three major
storms in the past two years,
We can pat ourselves on the back for knowing how to
prepare for a possible week-long power outage.
Here are some helpful tips that We've learned:
1) Candles and matches
Have a good stock handy. Candles can be
used for light and warmth. Matches, of course, light
the candles, as well as burners and wood stoves.
2) Laundry
When I know there is a storm coming
I forgo my laundry schedule and wash as
much as I can. Once the power goes out,
I can't use a washer and drier, so even if I just
get everything through the washer cycle
when the power goes out I can still hang-dry
whatever is damp.
3) Dishes
Fortunately, we have gas lines
that run our water boilers so we have water
to wash dishes, but I recommend keeping on top of your dishes
before you lose power to prevent a messy, sticky
backup and no silverware.
For those of you who don't have the luxury of water when the
power goes out, I recommend filling your largest pots
and buckets with water or snow for heating (wood stove-top?) and rinsing
dishes.
4) Meals
To prevent soiled food we planned
the next week's meals as canned, boxed, or frozen.
Since we have an endless supply of snow, we can always
snow pack our coolers with the white stuff
and keep our food in there.
Our dinner menu looks like this:
2 Pancake meals from boxed mix and powdered milk
(though the store was out of eggs so we have to ration the ones we have)
Canned soup and grilled sandwiches
(powdered milk for soup)
Chicken salad
(canned chicken)
Salsa Mac and Cheese
(canned salsa, boxed mac, and powdered milk)
2 frozen bagged meals
Breakfasts:
Oatmeal
Hash (canned)
Lunches
Soup (canned)
Sandwiches (PB&J)
5) Drinking Water
As I said, we do have water,
but we bought a few jugs of purified water
just in case.
6) Flashlights and Batteries
If you read my last Cave Mommy Diary exerpts
then you know about the cow flashlight
that Sunny had (yes, I destroyed it in the past year).
Peter made sure to purchase each of us our own flashlight
and replacement batteries for this storm (though I am
bummed that he bought Sunny a really pretty Disney Princess
flashlight and not me...). I did get a cool headlamp
flashlight that you wear like a headband. This
will be perfect for cooking, cleaning, diaper changes,
and nursing hands-free!
7) Activities
You can't have a power outage and not be
"bored" because most entertainment these days
means electricity. We have come up with fun
things we like to do when the power is out.
Bowling Tournament
We take out Sunny's kiddie bowling
set and turn the living room into an alley
of fun and competition. Great for all ages!
Cards and Board Games
We LOVE Phase 10, A23,
Sorry, Monopoly, and Uno.
8) Vehicle
Make sure to have your cars filled with gas!
If the power is out, the gas stations will be out.
So fill up before so you don't end up stranded if you have to make
an emergency trip.
9) Emergency Travel Bags
If your power is out for longer than you
planned for, or if you end up in emergency
situations (evacuations, fires, no food...)
then you will need to have a bag
handy with at least a change of clothes per person,
some basic toiletries, and spare cash.
This way you can make a hasty retreat (your car
should already have gas) to relatives, friends,
or even a hotel.
10) Neighbors
They are probably in the same situation
as yourself, so reach out and combine your
resources! We invite ours to dinner and to play
games with us. It turns a less-than-ideal situation
into a memorable time. (and isn't this what neighbors
are for anyways?!)
~Michelle
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