Maine winters have always brought freezing temperatures, high winds, heavy snows, and ice, and in recent years, they’ve also, unfortunately, become synonymous with power outages. With increasingly powerful storms straining our grid, being prepared for outages that may last days or even weeks is only common sense. Here are a few tips for getting through:

Shelter

In a power outage, conserving heat is paramount. Designate an interior room as the go-to spot for everyone to gather. Ideally, this should be a smaller room with few windows. Keep heavy blankets, candles, sleeping bags, warm sweaters, and draft stoppers within easy reach. Toss a few cozy throw blankets over your chairs and sofas, and stash emergency camping blankets in both your house and your car.

Warmth (When the Furnace Won’t Run)

Preparing for outages also means ensuring that essential appliances and supplies are ready to go. Check and service all of your chimneys, wood stoves, and generators before the snow flies. If you use a chimney or wood stove, have at least a few weeks’ worth of dry, seasoned firewood, fire blocks, or other safe alternatives on hand. You can also forage for ash or birch outdoors, though seasoned wood is better.

Don’t underestimate the risk of fire or the danger of fumes. Due to the danger of carbon monoxide fumes, it’s never safe to use gas heaters or portable generators indoors. Play it safe and get some battery-operated or solar-powered carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

As soon as the power goes out, close off unused rooms to keep the heat contained in your warm room. Hang blankets over doors and windows to stop warmth from escaping. If you have a tent, you can set that up for extra insulation. (Bonus: this will go over well with kids.)

Whatever you are using as a heat source, don’t rely solely on room temperature to keep you warm. Layering clothing can make a huge difference, by creating additional insulating barriers between your skin and that frigid air. For your base layer, pick something that won’t absorb sweat. Synthetic fibers, such as nylon, work well, as does wool.  Wear a long-sleeved shirt under your sweater, and don long johns, tights, or leggings under jeans. Choose a warm, insulating piece for your middle layer/s, and opt for something windproof for your outer layer.

Another thing that will keep you warm? Moving around. If you start getting cold, do some jumping jacks, walk, or run in place for a few minutes. Body heat can also help. Cuddle up with your pets and family! Share blankets, and break out coloring books or board games to stay occupied.

Food/Cooking (If You’re Blocked In and Can’t Get to the Store)

A power outage may be a great excuse to go out to eat or get takeout, but don’t count on it alone. In extended outages, many stores and restaurants will likely either be closed or running low on supplies. Stock up on shelf-stable foods, like canned soup, fish, and meat; beans; peanut butter; bread; crackers; oatmeal; and tea and instant coffee. If you don’t have a manual can opener, make yourself a reminder to grab one on your next shopping trip.

For hot meals, you can cook on a woodstove. Grills and camping stoves will work outdoors, but are not safe for indoor use. If you plan to use a grill or camp stove, stock up on fuel for it as well.

Food spoilage is another concern. During an outage, keep your refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible to delay spoilage. Freeze gallon bags of water outside to use as modified ice packs in the refrigerator. You can store perishables in a cooler packed with ice or even outdoors, as long as temperatures are below freezing. Finally, if a storm is bearing down, try to cook any meat you have in the fridge before you lose power.

Water

Water is next on the list. The general recommendation is one gallon of water per person per day. Before the storm, fill your tub, sinks, and any containers, so you’ll have water for hygiene and toilet flushing. Consider getting some water purification tablets or a filtered water bottle. You can melt clean snow, though you’ll need to boil it before using it for drinking or cooking. Last but certainly not least, don’t forget about your pipes. Leave faucets dripping slightly, and open the cabinet door under the sink.

Communication

Communication is also crucial. Pick up a crank radio or one that runs on battery or solar power. If you don’t have some already, pick up portable charging banks or solar chargers. Remember to charge all your electronics and power banks before the storm. You’ll also want to make a family communication plan in case cell towers go down before everyone gets home.

During the outage, turn cell phones to power-saving mode, which will shut down most background apps. Resist the urge to scroll, play games, or make phone calls. Small solar generators are great for charging electronics, so keep an eye out for sales.

Pets

Don’t forget about your furred, feathered, or scaled friends! Keep extra pet food on hand, and include pets when estimating and preparing water. If you have a reptile, you may want to get a small dedicated generator just for them. Once power is out, keep pets in that warm room. Never leave pets outdoors or in unheated areas.

While we can’t predict when this winter’s storms and outages can hit, one thing we can vouch for is the peace of mind early preparations offer. Stay warm, but remember to keep a cool head.

Sylvia Bourgoin is a metalhead, an Aquarius, a budding gardener, a coffee addict, and a work in progress. A former obituarist, she is now a full-time freelance writer. She lives in Maine with two tuxie cats, an overgrown rose garden, and a lot of books.