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Preparing for a Power Outage
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Remember the basics of survival: Fresh Water, Food and Warmth.
Water - Stock up on bottled water before the storm. We have all seen the news footage of empty store shelves after a disaster strikes. Consider filling your bathtub or buckets with water for washing, flushing the toilet, etc.
Food - Stock up on canned foods that have a long shelf life. Also consider alternate methods of heating and cooking food. Any perishable foods should be eaten first before they go bad. Also, try to minimize opening the doors of refrigerators and freezers; this will delay the onset of spoilage.
Warmth - Consider alternate methods of heating your house. Be very careful if using open flame heating devices inside, ALWAYS make sure they are vented to the outdoors. Carbon Monoxide is very deadly. Make sure you have a lot of blankets and warm clothes available.
Other things to consider during a power outage are:
Light - Have plenty battery powered flashlights and/or lanterns around. Obviously have plenty of batteries as well.
Information - Have an alternative powered (battery, solar etc) radio available. It will be important to stay informed about the incident.
Boredom - Remember, there will potentially be long periods of inactivity. Consider placing books or games in your emergency supply kit to pass the time.
Be extremely careful when using open flame devices such as candles, they can and do cause fires.
Portable generators produce deadly carbon monoxide. Never run a fuel powered generator inside of a house, garage or other closed environment, always make sure it is properly ventilated.