![Weekend Storms May Bring Power Outages: Are You Ready?](http://townsquare.media/site/642/files/2017/01/RS5052_459162493-1.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Weekend Storms May Bring Power Outages: Are You Ready?
PUD is expecting to have problems with power outages with the icy weather we are expected to get this weekend according to news reports. When ice builds up on trees and power lines, it can cause major outages that last for days. Ice on roadways is also a problem with cars hitting poles and making it hard for crews to make repairs in a timely fashion. If the power goes out in your area, you are going to want to be prepared with some basic essentials before it happens.
Here is a simple list of things to think about to get yourself prepared.
- 1
Drinking Water
Make sure you have enough for at least a week for every member of your family, even your pets. You need 1 gallon of water / per person / per day for your planning. A family of four with a dog needs 35 gallons of clean water for a week.
- 2
Food
Remember with no power, you need to think of how you will prepare your food also. You can use a camping stove outside, a fire pit, or just eat your food cold. For extended power outages, take your freezer stuff and keep it cold in the snow outside. Remember to plan for a week.
- 3
Heat - Staying Warm
If you have no power and do not have a fireplace or wood stove, you can still stay relatively warm by keeping everyone in one smaller room. Candles and your body heat with blankets and layers can keep your family warmer for a couple days. With extreme cold or long outages, use a propane or oil heater but be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- 4
Light
You can use flashlights, lanterns, and candles. Using them sparingly because you never know how long the power will be out. Make sure you have multiple batteries for the flashlights.
- 5
First Aid Kit
Sometimes things happen and medical services can not get to you because of the weather. It is a good idea to have a first aid kit just to cover your bases.
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