Houston is having a freezing spell, along with the rest of the nation.  It’s 19 degrees (not counting wind chill) today.

There are rolling blackouts in Houston, as officials have ordered them across Texas to stabilize the grid. No power = no heat, because even if you have a gas furnace the warm air is circulated in your house by electric blowers.

I grew up in Colorado, worked with Search and Rescue, and have completed the CERT course offered by DHS.  Here are some things I’ve learned along the way.

Easy tips to help you stay warm and safe today!

Be safe:

Make sure your car has a full tank of gas. If things get truly bad, you can drive somewhere else or at least warm up the babies with the car heater.

Then, stay off the streets. Traffic lights might not be working, emergency workers are busy, people are distracted. And if you get in an accident, it’s really, really cold on the side of the road.

Unplug your appliances. Leave your fridge going, of course.  But if the power goes off, and comes back on, anything not connected to a surge protector could be damaged- including your $1000 washing machine.

Pull out candles and make sure your matches or lighters are where you can find them easily.  Small candles can be put in mason jars or glass drinking glasses to minimize risk to children and pets.

Check out how to make an emergency oil lamp, just in case!  You can use 100% cotton twine, kitchen string, or kite string for a wick.

Fill up the bathtub and any extra pitchers or large pots, in case there’s a frozen pipe and you’re left without water.

Put a penny on one of your ice cubes. When the power returns, check to see if the penny is still on top of your cube.  Then you’ll know that the freezer didn’t get warm enough to spoil your food, and everything stayed frozen.  If your freezer got warm enough for the ice to melt, the penny will be at the bottom or the middle of the cube and you’d better get rid of any meat or perishables, because they might not be safe to eat anymore.

Use a piece of duct tape or packing tape to “lock” your fridge and freezer.  This will keep people from opening it up out of habit.  Keep them closed and your food shouldn’t spoil.

Be warm:

Stay inside, and keep doors to the outside closed.  Make sure windows are closed and locked.

Pull out your blankets, etc. now while it’s warm and you have light to see.

Gather up extra socks, sweaters, etc. Dressing in layers will keep you warm.  Remove layers when the heater is working, and put them on when it’s not.

Overnight, put extra clothes in bed with you so that they are warm in the morning.

Remember, it’s easier to keep a person warm than it is to warm a whole room.  Make an effort to keep heads, hands, and feet warm.

If you know a storm is coming, pull out your camping equipment. Slumber bags, or an enamelware coffee pot to make brew on a gas stovetop can make things easier. Do NOT use your Coleman stove inside if all your windows are closed!

If you have a gas stove, you can light it with a match.

Boil some water- moist air feels warmer than dry air.  Having hot water on hand will also come in handy for hot chocolate, instant soups, or oatmeal.

Eat and drink warm things.

Bake something, if you can. Electric and electric ignition gas ovens won’t work without power, though.

DO NOT bring in a hibachi grill or other cooking device meant to be used outside. Carbon monoxide is not your friend!  It’s better to drink lukewarm coffee or eat spaghettios out of a can than to risk your family’s health and safety to warm something up in a dangerous manner.

Close doors to rooms that are not in use.

If you have a fireplace, plan to camp out in that room.  Cast iron works great in a fireplace for cooking (make sure you have oven mitts ready.)

You can put bricks near the fire to warm up.  Slip in a sock and use as a foot warmer, great for bedtime!

Close all the blinds and drapes. Staple or tape plastic over the windows to insulate them, and if they are still drafty, staple or tape extra blankets, towels, etc. to block out the cold.

Snuggle up!

Prepare for next time:

Have candles and matches on hand.  Have a flashlight for each member of the family, with extra batteries.

Explore alternate, safer lighting sources.  Solar powered landscape lights, battery powered lanterns/LEDs, and even decorative oil lamps can be useful.

If you live in a cold climate with frequent storms, stock up on handwarmers.  In a pinch, even a ThermaCare Heatwrap will serve for warming up.

Think ahead for a way to light the bathroom, especially if you have small children.  Battery powered, wireless LED lights are perfect for this.  You don’t want to leave a candle burning overnight, but kids will still need to use the potty.

Consider getting a small camp style stove. A sterno or alcohol stove can heat water for a hot drink or a can of soup.  You can make your own out of a soda can, too.

Get a car charger for your cell or laptop. You can also get hand-cranked or solar powered ones off the internet.

Get a great water filter (you know I love Berkey!) in case of water problems.

I love coffee, and I’m so glad I have a coffee press today!  It’s non-electric and easy to use even without a lot of light.

What are your tips for surviving a power outage during a cold snap?