Despite Arizona’s sunny, mild winter weather, preparation for a power outage is important to keep your family healthy and comfortable. Here are a few suggestions to begin with:
Nobody Wants to Sit in the Dark
Most families already own some candles and flashlights. Check to make sure that you have fresh batteries and dry matches to keep with them. Storing sets by the front door and by your bed are easy to locate in an emergency.
What’s for Dinner?
Feeding your family during a power outage can be challenging, especially if you have finicky eaters. Keeping a stash of favorite foods increases the odds of the kids’ cooperation, especially if it’s food that is normally eaten at room temperature.
Don’t forget that you can appeal to their sense of adventure, rather than dwelling on what isn’t an option. Try having a picnic on the living room floor or breaking out treats that are normally reserved for school lunches or field trips.
Wood stoves and fireplaces are the easiest way to heat or cook food during a power outage. Solar cookers are also easy, but need to be used outside. Propane stoves work well in a pinch, but must be used outdoors to prevent CO poisoning.
Not Too Warm, Not Too Cold
Thorough insulation is important for keeping your home at a comfortable temperature. A professional energy evaluation will identify any areas where you could be saving money on utilities. You can also use heavy thermal curtains and draft blockers to prevent drafts.
While Yuma’s weather is generally warm, it does occasionally drop below freezing. Losing your heat is no fun! Having emergency blankets, warm long underwear, hats and thick socks make a big difference.
Will a power outage this winter take you by surprise? If you need help getting your house ready, call Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company right away! Our employees have building relationships with Yuma, Arizona families for over 61 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about power outages and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 928-723-3183.
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