Winter storm tips for the next big one

Even if you survived the final snowstorm of January 2015 with no problems (as is to be hoped), chances are another storm will come along in the next month or so, and chances are that there will be at least one or two subtantial power outages before the end of this winter. 

Connecticut Light and Power (which, by the way, will change its name to Eversource Energy on Feb. 2) has some very useful tips for what to do ahead of time if you think the power might go out. They can be found online at www.cl-p.com/StormCenter/Preparing_for_a_Storm (the name of the company’s new website hasn’t been announced yet).

Especially important tips are those relating to medications and medical supplies. Be sure to have your prescriptions filled and to have plenty of oxygen on hand if you need it. Plan to have a cooler or ice chest available if any of your medications need to be kept cold. 

One good thing about having a snowstorm in cold weather is that at least you can keep some of your perishables outside. But since life and weather are funny and sometimes perverse, it’s good to plan for a sudden burst of warm weather to follow a snowstorm and power outage. 

CL&P suggests that you buy bags of ice and keep them someplace cold, so you can ice things if you lose power in your refrigerator. 

They also recommend that a day or a day and a half before a big storm is expected, you should put your refrigerator and freezer at their coldest setting. This is presumably so that the contents will stay cold longer if the power goes out. It’s a good idea also,of course, not to open and close the doors too often, so the cold air stays in.

They suggest that you have extra water on hand. In clean buckets or bottles you can store water for cooking and drinking; and if you fill the bathtub with water, you can use it for flushing your toilet (assuming that you have an electric water pump that works with your toilet, as most of us do).

If you are unable to cook in your kitchen, and if it isn’t too hideously cold outside, you can try using your outdoor grill. Definitely don’t plan on bringing your grill indoors, however. It’s a fire hazard and also a smoke hazard. If you’re super keen on cooking indoors over a flame, think about using your fireplace. Keep in mind that fat spatters and creates burns and fires in unwanted places, so be extra cautious; area firefighters are likely to be extra busy during a storm and its aftermath, we don’t want to create additional emergencies for them. 

CL&P warns that “voltage irregularities” sometimes occur during and after a storm. Protect “sensitive” equipment by unplugging it; included on the list are “TV, DVD player, stereo, microwave, computer, iPod, answering machine, garage door opener.” Don’t forget (as I so often do) that you can open your garage door manually if you need to.

Keep some extra batteries on hand for your battery-operated radio, and make sure your cell phone/tablet computer/laptop or any other useful electronic gear have been fully charged. Get some extra cash in case power goes out at the ATM, and fill your car’s tank with gas.

CL&P wants you to call and let them know if you lose power, even if you’re certain that other people have already phoned in. Call 800-286-2000 or send a message through the website at www.cl-p.com. The company also has a power outage map online so you can see the extent of the outage, and watch as it changes. The company also offers updates on repair progress on the website.