Preparing for a Power Outage: The Ultimate Guide  

Conrad  Novak, a blogger at Survivor’s Fortress, shared with Healthy Lombard that winter is here and they are on a mission to help people get prepared for a power outage!

A power outage can be a stressful time. Stores get depleted extremely quickly and the modern conveniences of life are taken away. Luckily, with a little preparation and a solid action plan in place, a power outage can be dealt with stress-free and with minimal impact. This guide will give you everything you need to fully prepare for the next extended power outage.

CREATING AN EMERGENCY AID KIT

It’s important to put together an emergency kit in preparation for a power outage. You’ll need to keep this somewhere accessible and stock it with essentials. Here is a list of recommendations you should include when creating your emergency kit:

• A gallon of drinking water per person per day (also invest in water purification tablets to ensure water is safe to drink)
• Non-perishable food and a tin opener
• A fully stocked first aid kit
• Supply of all needed medications including the dosages
• A flashlight with extra batteries
• Blankets

Here is a complete list of first aid kit items recommended by the Red Cross organization:

• 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
• 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
• 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
• 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
• 5 antiseptic wipe packets
• 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
• 1 emergency blanket
• 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
• 1 instant cold compress
• 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
• 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
• 1 3 in. gauze roll (roller) bandage
• 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
• 5 3 in. x 3 in. sterile gauze pads
• 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
• Oral thermometer (non-mercury/non-glass)
• 2 triangular bandages
• Tweezers
• Emergency First Aid guide

If you require any medications or medical devices that need refrigeration or electrical supply, make sure to speak to your doctor about back-up resources available to you. The CDC recommends disposing of any medications that require refrigeration after a power outage lasts 24 hours or longer.

It may seem over-precautious to stock up on all of these supplies, but in the event of an extended power outage, you’ll be glad you have them available.

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