Encampment in the Dark

A silent Sunday morning greeted residents of Encampment

A power outage that occurred at 6:15 a.m. was due to a pole catching fire, according to spokesman for Carbon Power and Light.

Power had to be turned off in order to replace the pole safely. Members of the community were without power until 10 a.m.

This is a good reminder to be prepared for sudden power outages, especially in our rural areas. Repairs and maintenance at this time of the year aren’t nearly as challenging as when winter has moved in with whiteouts, cold snaps and accidents.

Flashlights should be at the top of the list for power outage supplies. Make sure you have a long-lasting flashlight that is durable. Put flashlights in a place where they can be found in the dark. Headlamps are very handy when trying to do something that requires both hands.

Water is also very important. keep few gallons on hand in case the outage lasts longer than expected.

Non-perishable food and pantry items are a must. Opening and closing the refrigerator or freezer will diminish their cold properties quickly. Canned fruits, jerky, crackers, soups, and granola bars are good sources of energy.

Keeping a heavy-duty cooler handy to put perishables in is also helpful.

A well-supplied first aid kit is a necessity at all times, emergency or not. Check and resupply your kit once a month. The first aid box can be stocked with other small essentials like batteries and matches.

A weather radio can be handy when you don’t have cell service due to outages. Solar and hand crank options are available and some can even be used as a phone charger. Many of these radios also have a flashlight.

A portable phone charger is a great option for power outages. This will enable you to stay in touch with family and local news.

Battery-operated lanterns can last up to 14 hours and provide consistent lighting, which can be comforting during an emergency or power outage.

Insulated sleeping bags make a much more comfortable sleeping situation when there isn’t any heat or it is very limited. Extra layers of clothing and blankets are essential as well.

A bucket. Not a fun subject, but a bucket is very helpful to force flush your toilet. Usually just takes a couple buckets full to get the job done.

Pet food is also something to consider stocking up on. A one-day outage could run into two or three days. In our rural areas, a heavy snowfall can stop delivery trucks from arriving for several days.

Hand sanitizer is a necessity, especially if you have to conserve water. Most of us still have 20 bottles in the closet from 2020. Wet Wipes would be helpful as well.

Prescription medicines are essential. Having a backup isn’t always an option, but try to refill at least a week out from empty, just in case. Keep them where you can find them, preferably all in one spot in case of evacuations.

Long burning candles are also helpful in a power outage situation. Some emergency candles can burn for as long as 115 hours. Keep matches and/or lighters with them in a safe place, out of children’s reach.

A deck of cards, a board game, or pencils and paper can be very helpful during the outage. While waiting for the power to come back on you may discover the artist or the author in you!

As the old saying goes, “Prepare for the worst, and hope for the best”.