Prepare Your Scarborough Home For a Winter Power Outage With These Tips

Power outages aren’t limited to winter, but they certainly can cause more complications when it’s cold and snowy. Make sure you’re ready for all of Mother Nature’s elements this year by starting your winter preparations early. Here are some easy things to do to be ready when the snow flies and shuts off your electricity. Have an electrician in Scarborough on speed dial just in case you need repairs after a storm.

Stock Up on Batteries and Other Supplies

Check your flashlights and small appliances to know what size batteries you need and that they’re all working effectively. Get some extra sets or make sure your rechargeable batteries are powered up and ready to go when the power goes down. If you don’t have a small portable radio, you may want to buy one before they’re out of stock. Don’t plan on relying on candles. Get some small lanterns or use flashlights.

Keep Heating Fuel on Hand

Your gas furnace may not work if it relies on electricity to power on the fan. Be prepared for a power outage by installing a battery backup for the electrical starter on your fireplace. Stock up on firewood for the chimney. Find a non-propane heat source for inside that doesn’t need electricity to stay warm and even cook food during a storm.

Turn Down Fridge Temperature

Before a storm, turn down the temperature on the fridge to make it cooler inside. The food may last longer, especially if you keep the doors closed as much as possible. Think about what food and drinks you need through the storm. Instead of keeping water inside the fridge and having to open the door each time you want a drink, store water in a cool location. Use up any food that might spoil or put it in the freezer to stay colder during the worst of the outage. Keep non-perishable foods on hand in case the outage is longer than a few hours. Fill your bathtub with water to use for flushing the toilet.

Protect Your Pipes

The pipes in your home may freeze and burst during a cold storm. Get a plumber to make sure they’re properly insulated before winter. During a bad storm, you can shut off the main water supply to your home and open all the faucets to empty the pipes to prevent frozen and burst pipes once the storm is over.

Weather the Storm  

A power outage is going to be stressful, but you will get through it. Unplug your appliances and electronics, so that when the power does come on, they aren’t damaged from the power surge. Dress everyone in more layers and use blankets to try and stay warm. Try to stay in one room where the heat is. You’ll want to be ready to distract your children with games and their favourite toys. If you’re trying to conserve batteries, trivia games and music can help keep everyone entertained. Keep your doors and windows closed to keep as much heat inside as possible.

After The Storm

Once power is restored, take a few minutes to breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy the heat. Don’t get too comfortable, because you will want to see how your home came through. You’ll need to check your pipes to see if you can get water. The hot water heater may need to be checked. Give it time to reheat. If you don’t have hot water in a couple of hours, check the circuit breaker. You may need to call for electrical repair services if you can’t it working on your own. Contact Handyman Connection to let our technicians get you back to your routine.