Preparing For A Blackout After A Winter Storm

Narrowing down the storm season along the Texas Gulf Coast can be difficult, especially with our unstable winter temperatures. Whether a snowstorm, tornado or hurricane is on the horizon, knowing what to do during the worst-case scenario is crucial. Air Tech of Pasadena wants you to be prepared for any weather situation that may leave you stranded in your home and without electricity, so you can stay as warm and safe as possible.

Prepping Homes For A Hard Freeze

Protecting your home against a hard freeze or a snowstorm will keep you and your family warm and comfortable while you wait for the front to pass, or to have electricity again.

Some things you can buy or do to minimize the impact a cold front can have on you and your home:

• Bottled water and non-perishable foods
• Portable generator* and the fuel it runs on
• Candles or Propane/Kerosene lamps*
• Propane/Kerosene space heater*
• Portable propane grill*
• An emergency preparedness kit, including a flashlight, first-aid supplies, blanket, batteries and cash
• Keep generators dry, outside and at least twenty feet away from windows, doors and vents. Never operate them indoors.
• Hand warmers
• Batteries, for radios, flashlights, etc.
• Wood, if you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove
• Insulate pipes or let faucets drip (to prevent frozen, busted pipes)
• Fill up your vehicle’s gas tank — they can be used to keep warm or re-charge your devices
• Know the location of local warming centers
• Battery backup starter for a gas fireplace

*Fumes from items that use propane, kerosene and other heat generators consume oxygen while releasing carbon monoxide gas, so ventilation is crucial when using them indoors.

How To Stay Warm Without A Heater

Fire-Powered Heat Sources

Fire is the most efficient way to generate heat without electricity, so if your home has any of these items, fire them up! Just be sure you have plenty of ventilation for smoke and access to oxygen.

• Fireplace: Although gas fireplace controls require electricity, they should still be able to light using a match.
• Propane/Kerosene space heater: If you don’t have one, local hardware stores should carry them.
• Wood-burning stove

Use Layers Of Clothing

Adding clothing layers to your body while indoors is a great way to stay warm during a winter blackout. Start with small and snug layers – like a small t-shirt, leggings and thick, long socks – then add onto those as much as possible. On top of your t-shirt, add a long-sleeve shirt, a sweater and a bathrobe, if you have one.

You can also keep warm using beanies, jackets, blankets, scarves, gloves and sleeping bags.

Insulate Inside Your Home

One way to keep as much heat inside your home as possible, and as much cold air out as possible, is to insulate your home in the following areas:

• Doors: Wedge towels or clothing to seal the gap at the bottom of your door. You can also thumbtack extra blankets over doors or doorways without doors.
• Windows: Ensure all windows are completely closed and locked. Set up heavy curtains or thick, clear shower curtains (to let in warm sunlight) if you have them. You can also seal cracks using towels, clothes, caulk or by taping plastic over them.
• Floors: Hard flooring is especially cold, so lay down carpets, rugs or blankets. If your feet feel cold when touching the floor, lay down anything you can spare.
• Unoccupied rooms: Keeping everyone in the same room raises the temperature slightly, but sealing unused rooms (using the directions above) controls where heat accumulates by creating more insulated barriers between you and the cold outdoor air.
  Attic or Crawlspaces: Seal and insulate these similarly to the rest of your home, if you have extra time and supplies available.

Pasadena Emergency Heating Services

At Air Tech of Pasadena, we are available 24/7 to help keep you and your family as warm as possible during a cold front. If your heater has broken down, call our team right away! We’ll never leave you out in the cold.