$aving Bucks

during a power outage

                 When Superstorm Sandy struck, I was left in the dark in many ways.
                 But I only have myself to blame for the lack of preparation that had me feeling my way to the bathroom for too many days.  We had talked about buying batteries to power the flashlights.  We didn't.  We had talked about filling the bathtubs with water so we could flush the toilets.  We didn't.  We had thought about packing the refrigerator with frozen water bottles to preserve the food.   We didn't.
                We had dreamed about buying a generator.  Financially, we couldn't.
                Then I met Peg Haskell, who gave me a glimpse into a world where darkness is commonplace come storm time.  When I met Haskell, she had been without power for more than a week.  The Tinicum woman had no idea when power would be restored, yet she was calm and optimistic.
                A simple reason explained why:  She was prepared.
                Haskell and her husband, Ron, didn't face the last-minute rush to the hardware store to buy batteries because they had stocked up during the year when they were on sale.  She kept her closet full of canned soups and other nonperishable meals.  She filled containers with water.  She gathered candles and had them ready.  She charged her phones at work, powered her radio with batteries and fueled her kerosene heaters.
                And, not once, did she feel left out in the cold.
                Haskell's approach to preparing for a power outage was smart and affordable.  I knew I could learn from her.  So before the next storm strikes, gather the canned foods, batteries and water, and consider these other suggestions from Haskell and a few online sources:

1. Add bottles of ice to your freezer:  It will keep food cold longer while the power is out.  Once it warms, you can drink the water.  If you have a deep freezer, put all the food from the fridge in the deep freeze to minimize loss.
2. Fill plastic zipper bags with water:  Put them between food in your freezer if you know a power outage may be imminent so they'll freeze and keep items in your freezer cooler for longer.
3. Provide flashlights or light sticks:  to each child to keep by their beds and in their backpacks.  And get battery-operated lanterns.
4. Keep yourself entertained:  Locate books, board games, toys, and other entertainment that doesn't require electricity.
5. Have a camp stove ready:  Invest in a propane-powered camp stove and bottled propane so you'll have a way to cook.  Use it outdoors or at the edge of the garage.  And don't heat with a gas stove or run a generator indoors (including in the garage).
6. Stay informed:  Know the power company's phone number and report the outage immediately.
7. Candles, lighters, flashlights, and batteries:  Stockpile 20 or more large, cheap candles for use as light sources, along with matches and batteries.
8. Insulate your home from the cold:  This will keep as much heat as possible inside.  In advance, caulk cracks around doors and windows.  If the outage is upon you, use towels and blankets or buy sealing tape.