Living where we do with snowy winters, it came as no surprise that 2018 started off as cold as it did. When the temperatures drop, or a big storm rolls through, there’s a greater chance you could lose power. When the lights and other electrical devices go out, it’s better to be prepared in advance, for those just-in-case moments.
Chances are you already have a power-outage home kit, and possibly even a generator, something many year-round residents invest in. But when was the last time you reviewed your home emergency kit? We still have months of winter weather ahead of us – review the checklist below and plan ahead to help keep your Muskoka home, cottage or condo safe and comfortable the next time your power goes out.
A basic home emergency kit should include enough food and supplies to sustain you and your family for a least 72 hours. Standard kits typically have:
- Batteries (Keep a list of all the types you may need and store extra supplies)
- Battery-operated or hand-crank flashlight and radio
- Candles with matches and/or oil lamps
- Cash in lower denominations (for miscellaneous purchases)
- Emergency plan (each family member should have a copy or know where it is)
- Extra blankets, bedding supplies
- Extra keys to your house and any vehicles
- First aid kit
- Food (non-perishable)
- Important paperwork (Keep copies of birth and marriage certificates, passports, licenses, wills, land deeds and insurance in a safe but easily accessible place at home)
- Manual can opener
- Personal hygiene items
- Special needs items (i.e. medications, infant formula)
- Water (2 litres per person/per day)
Learn more about what to do before, during and after a power outage at the Canada.gov Get Prepared Web Page. It’s full of great information and tips. There are also important safety reminders such as ensuring you have a working carbon monoxide detector and using wood stoves or generators for heat. Another great resource is the Red Cross of Canada, they also have home emergency starter kits to help get you started. For those with mobile devices, one link to keep handy is the Hydro-One Outage Map, with it you can see who has power and whose still waiting, and get up to date information on weather-related power conditions.
Regardless of the time of year, if you are ready to move the area, or it’s time to sell, discover the care and expertise of The Rick Wearing & Sandra Parrott Team. We’re here to work for you, and give you the best experience when it comes to fulfilling your home dreams. Please call us at 705-788-3535 or email at info@WearingParrottTeam.com today!
This information is taken from sources deemed to be reliable. The Wearing Parrott Team does not guarantee accuracy; we recommend information be validated independently.