Tips to Prepare for and Survive Power Outages

The heavy snow and in some places ice on top of snow can cause power outages.  Here are some tips to help you survive and stay safe if you lose electricity:

.  Include power outages in your family disaster plan.  Know where to meet ahead of time because cell phones don't always work during an outage.  Freaky, but true.

.  Cash - make sure you have more than seven dollars in your wallet.  Some restaurants may be open but it could be cash only.  Seven dollars does not buy lunch for three people.  Weird but true - some banks may not be open.  Keep a hidden twenty or fifty dollar bill in your wallet so everyone can eat.

.  Gas - make sure you have some.  Gas stations rely on electricity to power the pumps.  True fact - during a ice/snow event people will be lined up at the pumps like they did in the 70's.  Very eerie.

.  Turn off all light switches but one.  Don't make it the one in your bedroom, unless you want to be woken at 4 a.m. when the power does turn back on. 

.  Flashlights need batteries.  Enough said.

.  Don't run a generator inside a home or garage (if you are lucky enough to have one).  Use gas-powered generators outside only. 

.  Keep your phones and other essential electronic devises charged at all times.  Do you know how long it takes to charge a cell phone in a car?  A long time, trust me. 

So, there you have it.  A few thoughts to help you survive this crazy winter.  And for me, a few glasses of a lovey wine from Tuscany helped me sleep through the night in a house with no electricity, water or heat.  How many days till Spring?