A week ago an unseasonable October snowstorm hit the Northeast and left 3 million people without power – including 770,000 Connecticut residents. Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy declared a state of emergency and told ABC News, “This is the largest number of power outages that we have ever experienced.”

Approximately 741,000 residents were still without power as of Monday, according to Connecticut Light and Power, and some may be in the dark until the end of the week.

Whether you’re still in the dark from this unprecedented blast, or you’re one of the fortunate few who avoided the pre-season winter debacle, the storm it’s a good reminder that winter is right around the corner and now is the time to prepare for future winter power outages.

Preparing for winter power outages isn’t unlike getting ready for other power outages, but freezing temperatures mean there are a few extra precautions you can take to stay safe when the lights go out.

An Alternative Source of Heat

It’s one thing to be without lights or the ability to use computers, TVs, and other electronic devices, but in the winter months the loss of power often means no heat. To avoid being cold and in the dark, you may want to invest in a wood stove or gas-heating device. Extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm clothes are also good to have on hand in the event of a power outage.

Stock Up on Water

An extended power outage during the winter can lead to limited or no water, so it’s important to have an emergency supply of commercially bottled water. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends at least one gallon of water per person per day. On average, a person needs at least a half-gallon of water just for drinking each day.

A supply of easy-to-prepare foods: As with other power outage, it’s important to have a supply of easy-to-prepare, non-perishable food on hand for a winter power outage. When putting together your supply, avoid foods that make you thirsty since water may be limited. Canned foods, dry mixes, and other staples that don’t require refrigeration, cooking, or water are all good options. Store your food in a cool, dry area to prevent it from spoiling and put boxes of food in plastic or metal containers to keep pests out. It’s also important to include a manual can opener with your supply.

Light Sources

Portable, battery-operated flashlights are a must during a power outage, and each person in the house should have a flashlight and an extra set of batteries. Candles and matches are also useful in the event of a blackout.

Other Considerations

In addition to the necessities, there are a few other things you might want to consider when planning for a winter power outage, such as: a battery-operated radio (for news and weather updates); a fully charge cell phone; extra prescription medications; and first aid kit.

If you lose power, you can report outages or check the status of an outage with Connecticut Light and Power at cl-p.com or by calling 800-286-2000.

If you have questions about your homeowners insurance and what winter storm damage is covered by your policy, your Gerardi independent insurance agent is happy to answer any coverage questions.

You can also find helpful information on the State’s website, click here.

Photo credit for photo 1: Image is courtesy of Maggie Smith at Freedigitalphotos.net.