When the weather starts to cool down, people around the country respond by preparing their homes for the winter season. With winter comes a steep drop in temperature, often accompanied by rain and sleet — and depending on where you live, snow. Every year during the winter, snowstorms plague certain areas of the country. When that happens, many homes lose power, which can be especially dangerous. But fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe until the power is safely restored later on.

What To Do When You Lose Power During a Snowstorm

Losing power during a snowstorm can be a very scary experience. If you live in an area where snowstorms happen, preparing for extreme weather is important. With preparation and a thoughtful approach, you can navigate through a bad situation safely and with ease.

Remain calm.

When a power outage happens, your first reaction might be frustration, worry, or even panic. But keeping a level head is important. So instead of panicking, try to assess the situation to determine the extent of the damage. If the outage is widespread, reach out to your local utility company who can advise when power is to be restored.

Create an emergency kit.

Having an emergency kit on hand is a smart idea if you live in an area prone to power outages. To create your own emergency kit, pack helpful items such as flashlights, extra batteries, blankets, non-perishable foods, bottled water, and a first aid kit. Be sure to store your kit in an area where you can easily access it should you need it suddenly.

Conserve battery power.

When you lose electricity, preserving the battery life of your electronic devices is of utmost importance. Being able to communicate with family and friends during an emergency can be a lifeline for you and them, so prioritize preserving the battery life of your mobile devices for essential communication and information gathering. You can also consider investing in a portable charger or power bank so that you can operate your devices for a longer time.

Keep warm.

Unfortunately, when your power goes out, that HVAC system that keeps you nice and toasty goes right along with it. And not having heat for extended periods can be uncomfortable, even leading to hypothermia in extreme cases. To stay warm, wrap yourself in layers of blankets — throw blankets, comforters, whatever you can find. If you live with someone, huddle up in the middle of the room to conserve heat. Ensuring proper ventilation, you can also make use of your fireplace or wood-burning stove to create a source of warmth.

Preserve food.

A power outage means your refrigerator and freezer are likely not working, which leads to a greater risk of food spoilage. To avoid wasting food, keep your refrigerator and freezer closed so the cold air can’t escape. If the outage is expected to last for a while, move perishable items to a deep freezer or place them in a cooler with ice to be set outside.

Use generators safely.

If you have a generator, be sure to use it with caution to avoid harm. When generators are in use, they produce carbon monoxide. Because of this, you should place your generator outside to prevent carbon monoxide from building up inside your home. Additionally, when using it, only connect appliances that you absolutely need, and remember to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines carefully to prevent accidents.

Keep communication open.

Staying abreast of what is happening is key to weathering the storm. Keep a battery-powered radio on deck so that you can remain in the know about the situation if you can’t use your mobile device. Check community alerts, local news, and social media for updates.