What to do if you lose power during a winter storm?

[Anonymous]

Usually we lose power during a summer storm and can just drive to a hotel if need be. What do we do if we lose power in a winter storm but the roads are impassable? We only have a gas fire place (but haven't had it checked yet so don't feel comfortable using it) and don't have a generator. Do we just put blankets on and hope for the best? We have young kid (under 10) and a dog.

[Anonymous]

I suppose you could check into a hotel now. What's the plan if the hotel loses power?

[Anonymous]

Blankets, hats and coats. Have done it many times unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

Have the gas fireplace professionally cleaned and inspected, and use that. Ours has battery-powered ignition, so it is perfect for power outages, but you can also ignite any gas fireplace manually if you need to. You should learn how to do this.

If you get desperate for heat elsewhere in your home then, assuming your water is heated with natural gas, you can also take hot showers and leave pots of hot water around for radiant heat.

Also, drip your faucets if the temperature in your home is dropping into the low 50s. You are not going to freeze, but your pipes might.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have the gas fireplace professionally cleaned and inspected, and use that. Ours has battery-powered ignition, so it is perfect for power outages, but you can also ignite any gas fireplace manually if you need to. You should learn how to do this.

If you get desperate for heat elsewhere in your home then, assuming your water is heated with natural gas, you can also take hot showers and leave pots of hot water around for radiant heat.

Also, drip your faucets if the temperature in your home is dropping into the low 50s. You are not going to freeze, but your pipes might.

OP - I called our chimney people to come look at the gas fireplace (fingers crossed they can come before this weekend). We just moved so we haven't had a chance to get it looked at yet so I am too nervous to use it.

Annoyingly we are in the process of getting a whole house generator but it is taking a long time (permits, etc) and probably won't be installed for another couple of weeks.

[Anonymous]

Make sure there are no bird nests built in that fireplace if you've never used it! We had one start a fire in our chase/outside vent (gas fireplace).

[Anonymous]

Obviously, check your fireplaces and make them functional now since you have several days. How is this even a question?

[Anonymous]

I just moved into an apartment. I plan to:
Use blankets, hand warmers
Keep devices charged and charge portable chargers
Flashlights and batteries
Keep extra water on hand, fill tubs
I have a small camping stove, but would have to go outside to use it. I will have enough food for a couple days that doesn’t have to be cooked

[Anonymous]

Blankets and coats! That’s how we manage power outages. We have a gas stove so we also make sure we have a lighter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have the gas fireplace professionally cleaned and inspected, and use that. Ours has battery-powered ignition, so it is perfect for power outages, but you can also ignite any gas fireplace manually if you need to. You should learn how to do this.

If you get desperate for heat elsewhere in your home then, assuming your water is heated with natural gas, you can also take hot showers and leave pots of hot water around for radiant heat.

Also, drip your faucets if the temperature in your home is dropping into the low 50s. You are not going to freeze, but your pipes might.

OP - I called our chimney people to come look at the gas fireplace (fingers crossed they can come before this weekend). We just moved so we haven't had a chance to get it looked at yet so I am too nervous to use it.

Annoyingly we are in the process of getting a whole house generator but it is taking a long time (permits, etc) and probably won't be installed for another couple of weeks.

Just try the fireplace now. The worst that can happen is that a little natural gas is released. It won't hurt anymore.

[Anonymous]

Blankets and coats. If it gets really bad, you can lay with each other for heat.

[Anonymous]

Kerosene heater

[Anonymous]

Pray during the 30 sec cold weather warmup until our generator kicks in.

[Anonymous]

We have one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-MH9BX-Portable-Buddy/dp/B01IE5XI4C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QMDEZQR9MZKU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rZ5WpAK6SSfdgdYhD8NqKHNdoMVXrsUgSlwwTXVXJohO20i8zdWoXgk6oHpz_TXbEMa9ADPfTU9lkZIOSu-JNjrkldBkgplS2UsbHp6BT0Mmr6GEfZvRNcuJKRkaYL4Hb9Kp-xgfGlxXKo5wNNolM4WGQdFWznG8Gs_8yjsr_M6lj-F7k3RqdY0Opy85i4SGgkL_rlbqZOBMMZeD0oWdMdtrERqbDzVzwDkMt7bi-pFDaOlyiQ-ae7FfPwNqNAWZtyg9Bff3ZnksIQe9lfYXyNABec5eKtyooUirqrUsJJI.gy5xHuPCdguD45aEIFfwtnphUP4WPpoWJjBKPiPTbxI&dib_tag=se&keywords=mr+buddy+heater&qid=1769014721&sprefix=mr+buddy+heate%2Caps%2C128&sr=8-1

With a case of the camping size propane tanks that it uses. It won't heat the house but can easily heat our 17' x 20' family room with the sliding door closed for a day or two. We also have a medium sized portable power station (Bluetti elite 200 v2), and if things get really ugly we have a small gas-powered portable generator/inverter that can run all the basics and recharge the power station when needed.

We basically tend to hang out in our family room and watch shows on our iPads or play board games. The kids have a nintendo switch. With a big snow event there is good notice so we have time to charge everything, download some shows, make sure we have enough clean clothes and food basics in the house. Even when we got 20 or so inches in Falls Church like 10 years ago (or so) we were able to get out of the house and drive to the nearest store within 36 hours. So we stay warm and wait it out.

[Anonymous]

Go move back in with your parents. You aren't ready to adult.