Winter storms can knock out power, and a little preparation now can make an outage much more comfortable. Winter power outage preparedness for seniors starts with a few simple steps you can take ahead of time.
An hour of setup this month, with a family member or neighbour helping, means you’ll know exactly where your supplies are when the lights go out. Senior Helpers Langley shares a simple plan to get started.
Winter Power Outage Preparedness for Seniors: Emergency Kit
Keep your supplies together in one container, in a spot you can reach without lifting or climbing. If you want a fuller checklist, start with the emergency kit overview on the Government of Canada’s Get Prepared site.
For a typical outage, the bin should hold:
- Two or three flashlights or headlamps, with spare batteries.
- A battery-powered or crank radio.
- Bottled water and food you can eat without cooking.
- A list of your medications and doctors.
- A charged power bank for your mobile phone.
- Extra blankets, warm socks, and a toque for each person in the home.
Battery-powered lanterns and flashlights are a safer choice than candles, since they give steady light without the risk of fire.
One Warm Room
Pick one room to keep warm, ideally an interior room with few windows, and close the doors to the rest of the house. Dress in layers, with a hat and warm socks, and hang a spare blanket over any drafty doorway.
Never bring a barbecue, camp stove, or generator indoors or into the garage, even for a few minutes. They give off carbon monoxide, which you can't see or smell.
To learn which warning signs of a cold to watch for, read Health Canada's page on extreme cold, which explains how cold affects health. If your home gets too cold to stay safely, go to a family member’s or friend’s home. You can also check with your local government for nearby warming locations.
Prescriptions and Powered Equipment
Ask your pharmacist how your prescriptions should be stored and whether any need refrigeration. It’s also worth asking whether keeping a few extra days’ supply on hand makes sense for you.
If you rely on equipment that needs electricity, such as an oxygen concentrator or a powered lift chair, ask your doctor or equipment supplier now about a backup plan. When an outage does happen, BC Hydro’s power outage page shows current outages and lets you report one.
Who to Call, Written Down
A short phone list helps when your phone is low on battery or your contacts are difficult to find. Consider including:
- Two family members
- A nearby neighbour
- Your doctor and pharmacy
- BC Hydro’s outage line, from their website
Keep the list somewhere easy to find. Agree with your family on who will check in with you after an outage. Settling that before the first storm removes the guesswork.
Keep your mobile phone charged on stormy days. If you have a corded phone and a traditional landline, it may keep working when cordless phones don’t, though this depends on your phone service.
Winter Help at Home in Langley
Having someone check on your supplies can make winter power outage preparedness for seniors easier.
Senior Helpers Langley offers in-home care that includes companionship, errands, and help with everyday tasks throughout the winter. Contact us to talk about support this season.