Loss of Heat: How to Stay Warm in a Power Outage This Winter
Palm Beach County isn’t the worst place you can be in a winter power outage, but our homes can still get mighty cold when temperatures plummet. Maybe it’s because South Florida home construction tends to favor promoting cool conditions that our homes can seem so chilly when the furnace goes off for any length of time. That’s why it’s a good idea to be prepared in case the power goes out for any reason this winter.
While ice-covered power lines would be unlikely here, the power could go out for many other reasons, including:
- downed power lines from wind or fallen trees
- aging utility infrastructure failure
- too much demand for power, causing blackouts
Your home may also individually lose its power through malfunctions or a power surge. Your heating equipment might also fail, leading to the need to take emergency measures.
Here are some survival tips for whenever the power or heating goes out.
Surviving a Power Outage
1. Make a trip for emergency supplies prior to any storm where temperatures are likely to fall. Purchase non-perishable food, ice, batteries, over-the-counter medications and fuel for alternative heating or cooking sources, such as the fireplace, a wood stove, propane camp stoves or kerosene-powered heaters.
2. Have several coolers for ice to keep the contents of your refrigerator cold until the power comes back on.
3. Have several battery-powered light sources handy.
4. Fill the car’s gas tank. During power outages, electric pumps at the station may not work. You may need to evacuate your home, or use your car to charge your phone and other devices. Do not run the engine in an attached garage.
5. You can cook on a camp stove or grill, but make sure these appliances are located far enough from the house that carbon monoxide can’t waft inside.
6. Have plenty of blankets and warm clothes for layering.
7. Consider having a standby generator installed in your home. These are also handy during hurricanes.
For more on surviving power outages, contact NisAir Air Conditioning and Heating. We serve Martin, Palm Beach and Indian River counties.
