Sandy is barreling up the coast and right now we can’t be sure just what, if anything, she has in store for us. With only a few days left before we know for sure, it behooves all of us in the possible path to get ready for heavy rain and winds and the likelihood of power outages. Here’s a checklist for your convenience. Feel free to direct people over to the site if they have questions about how to prepare.
Clean up your yard and secure lawn furniture and yard ornaments. Toys and empty flower pots can become missiles in high winds.
Fill your car with gasoline and make sure to park it away from trees if you can. Park facing out.
Refill any prescription medications, even if you have to pay out-of-pocket for an extra few day’s supply.
Clean up your house. A tidy home will not just feel better but will also be a lot safer to navigate in low light.
Clean out your refrigerator. Get rid of leftovers and soon-to-expire food.
Fill your freezer with jugs of water so there is no empty space. A full freezer will hold the cold longer than a partially empty one.
Bring up a cooler. If the power looks like it will go out, put milk and lunch meat, condiments and juices in the cooler with jugs of ice so you will not need to open the refrigerator door. Put the cooler in the coldest part of the house and cover it with a heavy blanket or quilt.
Wash the globe or glass chimney of any lanterns or candlesticks. A clean chimney is more efficient than a dirty one. Trim the wick and fill the reservoir. Set matches in an accessible spot.
Give each person in the home a flashlight to keep next to their bed.
Review fire safety with your children and review how to use the fire extinguisher
Fill water containers or purchase bottled water.
Make a menu for ten day’s worth of meals. It may seem like overkill but a lot of people were without power for longer than that during Irene. Make sure you have all the ingredients and a way to cook the food. Simple is better. This is one time when it may pay to have individual packets of things like mayonnaise. You can make tuna sandwiches and not have to worry about a big jars of condiments to keep cold.
Make sure you have enough pet supplies.
Check on elderly, single or disabled neighbors.
Charge your cell phone.
Do any chores that require electricity. You will be happier if the laundry is done and there are clean sheets on all the beds.
Get out some games and puzzles and some read-aloud books.
Make sure there are extra blankets on the beds and that everyone has warm sweaters and caps.
Stock up on necessary baby supplies.
Please don’t wait until the storm track is clear. By then everybody will be rushing around looking for candles and batteries and non-perishable food. Preparing ahead will allow you to anticipate the storm with a sense of adventure rather than fear.
October 25, 2012 at 1:00 pm
Thanks for the good advice, Kathy. Here’s to hoping we don’t have another Halloween surprise like last year!
October 25, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Perfect! I knew you’d have this up. I’ll point others to it….
October 25, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Also, I added to our list:
_____ Recharge batteries, especially those for storm radios, flashlights and
table lanterns
_____ Make sure spare gas cans are full.
_____ Check chainsaw fuel & supplies (for cutting downed trees in the
aftermath)
_____ Review first aid kit, replenish supplies as needed.
Once the Power goes out:
_____ Unplug chest freezer, throw heavy blankets over it to insulate
_____ Turn off water to house, drain pipes? (depending on temperatures
and your individual house system)
October 25, 2012 at 8:21 pm
We will be fervently praying for all those sweet souls in the path of the storm.
October 26, 2012 at 12:05 am
Sandy is blowing by my neck of the woods today and on through tonight, possibly leaving some outer bands for tomorrow. Here’s hoping you don’t get any worse than we have up there!
October 26, 2012 at 8:07 am
Good luck to all of you in the NE as this storm decides where it wants to go. I would add too your list to have some cash on hand as the banks and ATM’s will be closed if the power is out
October 26, 2012 at 1:53 pm
I’m just curious–what is the reason to unplug the chest freezer? Does the advice also apply to the regular fridge/freezer?
October 26, 2012 at 2:04 pm
I wondered the samething. I wouldn’t do that. I want it to stay as cold as possible for as long as possible.
October 26, 2012 at 6:01 pm
Maybe she meant after the power goes out. When the power does come back on, sometimes, it starts and stops or surges which may not be good for your appliance.
October 27, 2012 at 10:09 am
Hope you get though OK up there. I’m in the mountains of WV and reading between 1-2 inches OR 1-2 feet of snow depending on the source. With so many leaves still on the trees, even inches could cause power loss. Nothing is expected until Monday pm, so I’ll top off the car today and fill buckets for flushing tomorrow. Otherwise I’m in pretty good shape as we learned some lessons this summer from the derecho that left most of the state without power for weeks. I got caught with a sink full of dirty dishes and no water. Get and stay extra tidy now as Kathy suggests, so you don’t have to deal with it without power and water.
October 27, 2012 at 8:33 pm
Praying all will be well with you.
It’s amazing how massive these systems have become. This is a quote from one of our tv stations..tv8..
**”Sandy” May Impact West Michigan Midweek*** – latest model data backs the storm farther to the west toward Michigan. We could see 25-30 mph winds with gusts +45 mph with temperatures in upper 30s to low 40s and a cold rain or rain snow mix Tues./Weds.
It’s said that we could have 15-20 ft. waves in the middle of Lake Michigan.
And although this weather doesn’t compare to the nations east coast, it
still could cause problems.
The information you gave is good for all of us to follow.
October 27, 2012 at 8:46 pm
She stated that “Once the Power goes out” – so yes when it goes out unplug your freezer and for that matter, probably most of your appliances. The power surge that could occur when the power comes back on could fry your stove, microwave, tv, etc.
If you have a generator (lucky you!) plug it back in when you arew ready to use the generator.
Will be praying for all of you on the East side!