10 ways to keep warm when the power goes out

Winter is steadily approaching and with that comes the rain and bad weather, so when the power goes out, having a way to keep warm is top priority.

If you rely on electricity for your heat source, then your teeth are going to be chattering and this can lead up to a very bad situation. If you know you can’t handle being without electricity on a winter’s day, plan ahead and browse through Off Grid’s range of backup power solutions.

Here are 10 ways to stay warm and cozy without electricity:

o The more body heat we can contain around us, the warmer we’ll be. Put a snug wool hat on your head that fits down over your ears. You will instantly begin to feel a lot warmer.

o Layering is your best bet. You want to make sure your bottom layer of clothing will wick away any moisture. If you sweat in cotton, the damp fabric will suck all the body heat straight out of you. A wool long sleeved shirt as your next layer will give you loads of warmth.

o Don’t forget about your toes. A pair of thick wool socks will keep your feet warm, especially when paired with a pair of lined boots. Of course if you are inside you won’t need the boots.

o Blankets are good. Wool blankets or a nice heavy quilt are even better!

o Avoid opening and closing the doors. If you do need to go outside, go through the garage or other area so that it acts as an airlock and doesn’t let the cold inside.

o Block drafts. If it’s really, really cold, you can place rolled up towels at the base of the front door or hang blankets over a drafty window.

o Use natures heat – the sun. If it is a sunny day, place your blankets in the sunlight and let them soak up the heat.

o A hot beverage to warm up your insides. There is nothing better than a bowl of hot soup and a cup of hot tea to keep your body warm. However this is only possible if you have prepared beforehand and you have hot water on hand.

o Do some exercise. Some jumping jacks and high knees will warm you up in as little as five minutes.

What do you do when its winter and you’re stuck without power? Plan ahead and you won’t have to try remember all these tips when you’re freezing and the power is out.

Fun activities to ensure your kids will never be bored during a power outage again!

No power? That’s no problem for you, but that means no Xbox, TV, tablet or WII for your two bored kids – time to run for it!

You may think that you need electronics to keep your kids busy, however power outages are the perfect opportunity to have fun the good old fashioned way. Along with flashlights, batteries and candles, be prepared with fun activities and games to keep the family having fun when the lights go out.

If you're determined not to be left in the dark, especially when you're at work or busy with your important daily activities - contact Off Grid, where you'll be able to find back up power solutions ranging from power banks to UPS devices.

>> Build the day away

Everyone loves LEGO (except when you step on them with bare feet). They’re the perfect toy to keep kids busy the whole day without needing any electricity. Take a look at the LEGO Ideas Book and keep it on hand so your kids can get inspiration and be encouraged to use their imagination.

>> Be inspired by books

Instead of just giving your children crayons and colouring books, make artwork more interesting. Read your kid’s favourite book with them and then suggest creating art based on it. Be as creative as you can possibly be!

>> Break out the board games

Monopoly, Jenga, Scrabble UNO, Snakes and Ladders and Ludo are just some of the games that are fun for the whole family. Don’t forget about twister that’ll help tire out your active kids. If you ever get bored of the traditional games, just invent your own.

>> Play spotlight charades

Play a twist on the classic charades game. One team must act out their favourite show, book or movie and the others must try and guess what it is. Because of the power outage, you should try incorporate flashlights into the game. Maybe pretend it is a sword or use it to make shadow hand puppets.

>> Cook a tasty treat

Brainstorm tasty kid-friendly treats you can make without an oven, microwave or fridge. Try making Rice Krispie treats using Rice Krispies and a jar of marshmallow cream or how about delicious Nutella s'mores!

>> Make a camp site

The kids will love building indoor forts and pitching tents to wait out the power outage. At night, turn on a lantern or torch to tell spooky stores as the whole family has a slumber party. You can even create your own DIY puppet show with flashlights and paper cut outs.

Don’t let a power outage limit you. Turn an unfortunate power outage into a moment to connect with your family and have some fun. This is the perfect chance for the kids to use nothing but their imaginations in order to pass the time.

Here’s how to always be prepared for when the power goes out

It may be difficult to imagine, but people actually got along without electric power for thousands of years. Some people still get along without it today! But in this day and age, not being able to switch on the lights or turn on your electrical devices is something we just aren’t prepared for…

Even so, things happen, like power outages and sometimes they can last a while. So, being prepared is a wise investment.

The definition of “prepared” will vary depending on where you live and the events surrounding the outage. But no matter the time or place, the general areas of preparation remain the same.

Here’s how to always be fully prepared for when the power goes out:

Light

There’s no substitute for investing in a few quality flashlights (Klarus Light) and fresh batteries. A battery operated lantern that offers general rather than focused illumination is also well worth it. Experts recommend not using candles because of the fire hazard.

Communications

Cordless telephones don't work when the power fails, and cell phones will run out of juice within a few hours. So, be sure you have at least one corded phone in your house. For your cell phones – buy a power bank from Off Grid or a charging adapter that plugs into the lighter in your car.

Heat

If you live in a cold climate, you'll need to figure out a method for keeping at least one room warm. If you already have gas logs, a wood-burning stove, or a fireplace, you should be in good shape.

Water

A secondary source of water is especially important if you have a well with an electric pump. Once the pump stops, the water stops, too. But even if you have city- or county-supplied water, your water could be affected if the power is out long enough.

Food/Cooking

Depending on your situation, you may be able to drive to the nearest eatery that still has power. But that isn't always possible. So keep food on hand that doesn't require cooking or refrigeration, such as crackers, peanut butter, snack bars, bread, and canned fruit.

This is one time that buying in bulk may not be a cost-saver — giant cans of food may go bad without refrigeration if you can't finish them in one sitting. If you can plan ahead and stock mostly items you'll eat eventually anyway, your emergency food pantry doesn't need to cost much extra. Just be sure to rotate the food periodically to keep it fresh.

Preparing for a power outage is an investment, but the peace of mind you and your family will receive from knowing you're prepared is an ongoing dividend. And if the power does eventually go out, the payoff will rapidly appreciate.

10 helpful tricks and tips to use when the power goes out

Power outages are more than just sitting in the dark. The fridge stops running, everything starts to defrost, plus the AC and fans stop working. Out come the torches and you have to wait patiently for the power to return. When the power goes out at your home, make sure to remember these helpful tips and tricks…

  v  When the power does fail somehow and the lights go out, leaving you in pitch darkness, don’t jump up immediately to find your flashlight and candles. Take a minute or two to let your eyes adjust to the darkness. You will be surprised how much better you can see and you won’t be as likely to walk into a table, chair or door.

  v  Keep some board games like chess, dominos, puzzles or UNO handy to keep yourself busy. Think of ways in which people amused themselves before the invention of electricity.

 

  v  Make sure you have at least one charged cell phone in the house. Keep a car charger handy in case the battery runs low.

  v  If your computer is connected to a UPS device, save everything and shutdown your computer as soon as you can. Take a look at Off Grid’s website for a wide range of UPS devices and other products that supply back up power.

  v  Take out your book from the dusty corner or buy a few books beforehand. It will kill some time and keep you entertained without needing any electricity.

  v  Put lumo stickers on your flashlights and keep them in easy to see places, like the bookshelf, next to the TV, on the nightstand, etc. When the power goes out, your flashlight will be quick and easy to find!

 

  v  Candles, if used improperly, can cause fire. Make sure you light your candles away from anything flammable and in an area where they can’t be knocked over. If you can, just try use flashlights instead of candles.

  v  Never use a generator in your home, garage or other enclosed environment!

Write these helpful tricks and tips down and keep them close at hand, so next time the power goes out you are fully prepared.

For a wide range of backup power devices, ranging from power banks to UPS systems - Visit Off Grid's website today!

How to stay safe during a power outage, experts explain

Severe storms and power outages unfortunately do happen and they can devastate homes, properties and lives. How long it takes for your power to become restored depends on the amount of damage, number of outages and when it is safe for utility personnel to get to the damaged areas.

There are many steps in the assessment and restoration process, so always be sure to contact and report the outage immediately.

We want you to know how to put together a storm safety kit, here are the following things you should include in your kit:

- Drinking water
- Non-perishable foods
- Blankets, pillows and warm clothing
- Basic first aid supplies
- Any prescription medication
- Basic toiletries
- Flashlight
- Battery operated radio and clock
- Extra supply of batteries
- Cellphone
- Cash and credit cards
- all emergency numbers
- Important documents in a sealed container
- Toys, books and games
- Baby supplies (if needed)
- Pet supplies (if needed)

Always have a storm kit prepared. Keep it in a cool, dry, safe place and make sure all the members of the family know where it is. 

Make sure you are prepared if you are ever caught in the dark, take a look at Off Grid's load shedding solutions. From power banks to UPS and KVA systems - we have it all!