Don’t get caught unprepared during the winter time! Here are supplies for winter power outage ideas that you’ll want to read about!
Photo by Alex Padurariu on Unsplash
It’s that time of year again when the possibility of a winter power outage becomes a reality. What would you do if you lost power during a winter storm?
Being prepared is key, so today I’m going to share with you some of the supplies that I like to have on hand just in case the electricity goes out.
Even if it doesn’t go out, these items can come in handy for other emergencies or natural disasters. Make sure you have the supplies you need for your family to stay safe and comfortable.
So without further ado, let’s get started!
Supplies for Winter Power Outage
Generator
A power outage can be a real inconvenience, especially if you’re not prepared for it. But with a portable generator, you can make sure your home stays powered up until the lights come back on. A generator is a great investment!
Generators come in all shapes and sizes, so finding the right one for your needs is easy.
Before operating a generator, I always recommend becoming familiar with generator safety tips to keep you and your family safe!
Consider purchasing a couple of carbon monoxide detectors for your home if you plan to run a generator at any time.
Portable Light Sources
Consider portable light sources for your home if you experience a power outage during the winter.
We invested in two packs of these camping lanterns so that every member of our family could carry around their own light source when going from room to room.
Other great ideas for lighting include flameless LED candles, flashlights, and even rechargeable light bulbs made for power outages.
You can even invest in tap lights to place in areas like the bathroom or in other areas.
Don’t forget to stock up on batteries for these sources, too!
Battery Powered Radio
If you are unable to get alerts via your television or phones, a battery-powered radio will keep you connected to emergency and evacuation alerts.
Many emergency radios today include a portable power bank and flashlight!
Portable Power Banks
If there’s one thing I highly recommend investing in during power outages, it’s to have at least one great portable power bank for each family member.
I am a HUGE fan of power banks. Over the last few years, I’ve slowly added to our collection of power banks and we use them ALL. Not only do we use them for power outages, we use them while traveling, too.
Each family member has his or her own power bank to use for their tablets or phones. They can usually access a few items downloaded on their devices to keep them entertained during an outage.
Favorite brands? Anker and MyCharge! I prefer power banks that are 10,000mAh or more. I currently have three of these power banks.
Emergency Food Storage
You may not have access to grocery stores during winter power outages. Roads may be too icy for traveling.
You will want to make sure you are well stocked with food. Consider investing in emergency food storage containers for peace of mind.
Most emergency food containers have a long shelf life and can last for years.
Other items you can stock up on include:
- Crackers
- Canned Soup, Meat, Vegetables, and Fruit
- Trail mix and other nuts
- Protein and Breakfast Bars
- Dried Fruit
- Peanut Butter
Bottled Water + Purification System
Stock up on bottled water on a regular basis. I usually buy a case of water every time I shop for groceries to put aside for emergency purposes.
For some power outages, your water could be out for a few hours or days. If you’re worried about major infrastructure damage where fresh water could be out for weeks, consider investing in a water purification system.
During the Texas winter power outage in 2021, my family did lose water. My dad was shoveling snow into storage containers so that the water could melt and he could use it for things like flushing the toilets.
Since then, I’ve been saving and cleaning out milk jugs to fill up and have on hand for emergencies like that!
Many of my friends and family member use the Berkey Water Filter System. I do not currently own one, but this system is on my wish list for sure.
A Berkey Water System is a filtration device that removes harmful contaminants from your drinking water. It’s an ideal choice for moms who want to ensure their family is drinking clean, safe water.
With this system, you can rest assured knowing that your water is filtered and ready to drink whenever you need it.
Sleeping Bags
Keep the family warm with sleeping bags if the power goes out during the winter months. When making a purchase, consider temperature rating and style.
You can choose between traditional rectangular style sleeping bags or “mummy” style sleeping bags.
These are a few of my favorite supplies for a winter power outage. I hope these tips help!