First off, I’m a Michigan girl and I have been through many winter storms. Was I prepared for the Texas storm that we just got, for the most part yes. But never did I think our electric company couldn’t handle what this storm dealt us. Are you prepared for a winter storm? Growing up in Michigan taught me a few things to always have on hand, no matter where you live. Here are a few ideas to be prepared for any storm, whether it’s in the winter or the summer.
Have Food You Don’t Need Electricity For
I have always been one to have extra food on hand. Not to go crazy, but you never know what could happen. Even in the summer we lose electricity, so have provisions.
- Soup In A Can
- Can Opener
- Soup That Can Be Made With Hot Water
- Breakfast Drink Mix
- Instant Coffee – Nescafe
- Powdered Creamer or Cappuccino Mix – Hills Bros. Cappuccino
- Milkman Milk – www.milkmanmilk.com
- Water – Gallons Or Bottles
- Crackers
- Chips
- Cereal
- Oatmeal
- Broth
- Mini Packs Of Condements – Mayonnaise, Mustard, Ketchup, etc
- Paper Plates
- Plastic Silverware
Easy Meals To Make Over Candlelight
- Taco Soup
- Vege Stir Fry
- Eggs
- Chili
- Sandwiches
Related – What To Feed Your Family When The Power Goes Out
Be Prepared For No Electricity Or Heat
One thing I always have on hand are candles. Now I know that not everyone will have some of these items on hand, I do crafting and baking for a living, so of course I have a lot of these on hand. But it doesn’t cost much to have these items on hand. It could save our life.
- Tea Light Candles
- Lighter
- Bakers Rack
- Cake Pan
- Large Clay Pot
- 3-6 Bricks
- Battery Operated Lantern
- Hand Crank Flashlight
- Generator (Wish I would have bought one of these before hand)
- Blankets
- Slippers
- Hats
- Gloves
- Scarfs
- Phone Charging Blocks (Keep them charged at all costs)
- Outdoor Grill, Either Charcoal Or Gas
Have a Way To Cook
I thought I was prepared for this one, but I wasn’t. Charcoal would be a great thing to have on hand, I thought I had some. I didn’t so I grabbed the next best thing, tea light candles. Always have tea light candles and other candles on hand. You’d be surprised what all you can do with them. I was able to heat up water for coffee, heat up soup to eat, and even made a vege stir fry over these candles.
Items Needed
- Large Cake Pan
- 10 – 12 Tea Light Candles
- Non-coated Bakers Rack
- Lighter
Directions
- Place the tea light candles in the cake pan.
- Light the tea light candles.
- Put the bakers rack over the candles and make sure it is sturdy on the cake pan.
What About Water
You may lose water, either your pipes may freeze, or the city’s pipes may freeze. Have water on hand. Even during the summer time, you could lose the ability to get water. Always have bottled or gallon water on hand. One thing you can do in the winter time to be able to continue using your toilet is melt the snow so you can put it in the back of the toilet to flush it. One thing you should do before the winter storm comes is to wrap your pipes and open your cabinet doors inside. This will help keep them warm for a while.