How to Handle a Power Outage After a Winter Storm

With winter storms often come power outages. While not having electricity can seem like a minor inconvenience, it can be dangerous during the winter as your home may lack heat while temperatures drop below freezing. The Revive Restoration team in Farmington Hills, MI, is here to offer advice on what to do when you lose power after a winter storm in order to stay safe and comfortable.  

What to Do When the Power Goes Out in the Winter

When the power goes out, you may be left with questions as to what to do next. This is especially the case during the cold winter months. Fortunately, the Revive Restoration team is here to help you stay safe and warm by offering expert advice and backup power solutions, no matter the season or weather.  

1. Keep Heat Inside

When the power goes out in your home, often, so does the heat. To keep heat inside of your home, close any open doors or windows. For greater protection from the cold, use towels to seal off cracks in doors to prevent drafts. Also, cover windows with blankets to act as a form of insulation. You may want to consider staying in one room, like a bedroom or office, with the door closed to maintain a warmer environment for yourself. 

2. Dress in Layers

Even if you are staying inside, dress in layers to keep yourself warm. Choose clothing with fabric that is breathable and wicks moisture away from your skin, like polyester. Clothing should also be fitted to keep your body warm while still allowing air to circulate. If clothing becomes wet, change immediately to prevent hypothermia.

3. Prevent Frozen Pipes

Your body isn’t the only thing you need to keep warm during a winter power outage. If exposed to cold temperatures, your home’s pipes can freeze and break, causing water damage. To prevent this, let your faucets drip and open your kitchen or bathroom cabinets under the sink to allow warmer air to circulate in.   

4. Safely Light the Way

You may be tempted to use candles to light your way through your dark house. However, this can be a potential fire hazard. Battery-operated flashlights are a safer alternative, especially if they are going to be used by children. 

5. Stay Informed

Like with any natural disaster, staying informed during a winter storm can keep you safe. Using a battery-powered radio can help you stay up to date on the weather forecast and other related news. Also, consider finding a way to keep your phone charged, perhaps by using your car charger, to be able to access the power company website or social media for updates regarding restoration timelines.   

6. Use a Generator 

A generator can be useful during a power outage. If you do not have a whole-home generator, portable options will suffice to power important appliances like heaters or phone chargers. These can be rented from restoration companies like Revive. However, they must be used safely to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. You should only install a generator outdoors and 20 feet away from windows or doors. 

7. Practice Food Safety

You may not think that you need to worry about keeping food cold during a winter power outage. However, temperatures in your home most likely will not reach levels safe enough to store food long-term. That said, keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed to maintain the temperatures inside of them. This will prevent food from spoiling due to improper storage. 

If you lose power for more than four hours, discard any food left in your refrigerator or freezer, as it is no longer safe to eat. While this may seem wasteful, fortunately, many homeowners’ insurance policies allow you to file a claim for food lost during a power outage. A restoration company, like Revive, can work with your insurance company directly on this type of claim or others. 

Find Help During a Power Outage in Michigan at Revive

If a power outage has impacted your home or business after a winter storm, call on the Revive Restoration team. With two decades of experience, 24/7 availability, and fast response times, we are your best choice for backup power solutions in the state of Michigan. For an estimate on a generator rental or any of our other backup power solutions, contact us online or call us at 248-372-1930.

Rent a Generator in Michigan From Revive Restoration

If you need to rent a generator, reach out to Revive Restoration. We can be at your home or business anywhere in the state of Michigan within an hour. To request an estimate on any of our backup power solutions, contact us online or by phone at 248-372-1930. Our team is available 24/7 to assist you with your power needs.