Just in Case

In many areas of the country, spring brings the threat of severe weather and the high winds that can lead to power outages. Here's how to prepare your home to keep you comfortable in case storms rage and the lights go out.

In the kitchen

• Fill plastic containers with water, leaving about an inch of air at the top, and store the containers in your refrigerator and freezer. If your power goes out, the cold water will help keep food colder, thanks to displacing air that can warm up quickly.
• If you have medication that's stored in the refrigerator, ask your pharmacist how long it can be safely stored if the electricity goes out.
• If the electricity goes out, turn off or disconnect any appliances you were using to avoid damage from surges or spikes when the power comes back on.

In the study or home office

• Turn off all computers, monitors, printers and scanners when they're not being used so they're more likely to have been safely shut down if the power goes out.
• Buy a surge protector for your computer equipment and keep your computer backed up regularly. You might consider buying an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) if you use your computer often.
• Remember that cordless phones and answering machines need electricity, so have a backup plan in case the power goes out, such as a cell phone or a standard telephone.

In the garage

• If you have an electric garage door opener, identify the location of the manual release lever and learn how to use it. If this is how you usually enter your home, keep a key to your house with you, in case you return home and the garage door won't open.
• Keep your car's gas tank at least half full, because gas stations use electricity to power their pumps. Automated teller machines and traffic lights also may not work during an outage.

Coping with extreme temperatures

If the electricity goes out and it's hot outside, move to your home's lowest level. Drink plenty of water and be sure to provide plenty of fresh, cool water for your pets.
If it is cold out, layer on warm clothing. Never use charcoal for indoor heating or cooking. If the power is expected to be off for a long time, you might consider going to a mall, the movies or any emergency shelters that have been set up in your neighborhood.

* Source: Lennox Industries Inc.