Quick Tips for Power Outage Preparedness

The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Sadly, the repeated overreactions of local school districts and meteorologists have created a 'Chicken Little' attitude among most residents of Triangle. I admit to rolling my eyes when my wife suggested we purchase extra flashlight batteries last night...until I took a long look at the forecast.

There is no point in avoiding the conversation or hoping that the weather prognosticators are wrong. It is going to be a nasty storm. The latest forecasts for the Triangle area have snow totals reaching upwards of 10 inches and ice predictions anywhere from 3-5 inches. Bear in mind that half an inch of ice is enough to down trees and power lines. By tomorrow morning, the sky may have indeed fallen.

The talk must now necessarily turn to preparation. Here is short list of simple things you can do to get ready for the upcoming storm.

• Batteries- Flashlights and battery operated lanterns are a far safer option than candles when the power goes out. Plan to have at least one if not two extra sets of batteries on hand so that you can continue to function in the dark. 
• Blankets- Go ahead and throw an extra blanket on the foot of the bed tonight. If the power goes out while you are in bed, this will keep you from having to fumble around in the dark for an extra comforter when your feet get cold. But you put that flashlight on your bedside table right?
• Watch your water- During longer power outages, water purification systems may not be working properly. It is good idea to grab a few  gallons of water in advance. If you are unsure about the safety of your water, boiling it for one minute should kill most dangerous bacteria. Better safe than dysentery.
• Grills are for yards- While it may be tempting to bring your gas grill into your living room to cook food during a power outage, this is a bad idea. It is a really bad idea.
• Cash- If the power is out it would be a good idea to have some cash on hand. ATM's are hard to operate when they are unplugged.
• Food- Think about what would be easiest to eat without power. Canned foods and non-perishables are seemingly obvious choices but have you ever tried cold Spaghettios? Yuck. A summer sausage, crackers and some cheese would be a better selection. Any kind of energy bars are also good things to have on hand when the lights go out.
• Phone- Go ahead and charge your cell phone now. Clear off any currently running apps to preserve battery life. This may be your only way to get updates. I have a charger in my car which I will plan to use if need be.

Take a moment to check in on the senior in your life during these next few hours or days. They are often the most vulnerable members of our community during extreme weather situations. Make sure that they are taking the appropriate precautions just in case Chicken Little is right this time:)

For more resources to keep a senior safe visit: www.caregiverstress.com