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fireplacesBlog-feature-powerOutage

What to do During a Power Outage and How Napoleon Can Help

It was an ice storm of epic proportions. Trees looked like glass sculptures. Every surface was gilded in icicles. Cars were entombed in a layer of ice that seemed impenetrable. The city was in darkness. It was eerie driving through an unlit town with no one out in the streets. My husband and I arrived home to complete darkness. We weren’t prepared for a sudden power grid emergency, but thankfully we had Napoleon to help keep us warm and fed. Do you know what to do during a power outage?

 

How Napoleon Helps

Fireplaces

You’ve probably heard our slogan “No Power, No Problem”. It’s true and will definitely be a great help in a power outage during colder weather.

Gas Fireplaces:
Napoleon Gas Fireplaces/Stoves/Inserts come with a battery backup or a millivolt system so that in the event of a loss of power, your fireplace will still light and keep you warm. There is no danger to continuously running a gas fireplace during a power outage. It will just heat less square footage because it is only producing radiant heat. The blower that would normally turn on with the fireplace needs electricity to work. You can run your gas fireplace as long as needed to ensure you are warm and content without worry of overheating the unit.

Wood Fireplace:
Those with Wood Fireplaces/Stoves/Inserts are in great shape when an emergency situation comes along, as long as they’re well stocked with wood for the season. Better still, wood stoves can even be used as a cooktop.

 

Furnaces

Napoleon makes a Hybrid Furnace that burns wood for heat. This is great when there is a power outage because your home will still be heated. The furnace fan may not be working, but hot air rises and will filter up through the vents of your home that way, keeping your home a lot warmer than a home without power.

 

Grills

Don’t forget your grill! Your Napoleon grill, be it charcoal, natural gas, or propane, is invaluable when there’s no power. You can use it to cook food, boil water, and generally eat well while there is no power. Get creative. Anything you would make in the kitchen can be done on your Napoleon grill.

To make sure that you’re good when trouble hits, remember to have an extra tank of propane, or bag of charcoal. If you live in a northern climate that experiences snow and ice, make sure that there is a clear path to the grill. Try to ensure that your grill is always in good working order and in a slightly sheltered, but not covered, space where you will have little trouble extricating it from snow and ice. Please, never grill indoors or in your garage – that is dangerous.

 

What To Do?

When an emergency happens, like a power outage or severe weather there are things you can do that will help keep you safe.

  • Be prepared with an emergency kit, and keep it in a space that is easy to get to and find in the case of an emergency.

  • Listen to the radio for information.

  • In the event of a power failure, turn off all electronic equipment in case of power surge when power is restored.

  • Keep the fridge and freezer closed as much as possible to prevent spoilage – freezer food is good for 24 to 36 hours if left alone. If the weather is below 4°C/39°F you can store food outdoors, but remember to monitor the outside temperature, cover the food, and be aware of local wildlife.

  • Remember not to use gas or charcoal powered camping and heating equipment indoors.

  • Never leave a lit flame or candle unattended.

 

Be Prepared

It always pays to have an emergency kit in the house, no matter what. Just a few items that you should keep on hand in case there is an emergency. You don’t need to go crazy with a bag for every person, but these essential items will keep you comfy while you wait for the power to come back on. These things are for a short-term emergency lasting a few hours to a few days, not an evacuation emergency.

Emergency Kit Essentials

  • Candles

  • Matches/liter

  • Flashlight

  • Hand Crank or Battery Radio

  • Extra Batteries - for radio, flashlight, and fireplace battery backup

  • First Aid Kit

  • Emergency Cash

  • Pen and Paper

 

Always have in the house

  • Bottled water – enough for 1 gallon per person/day

  • Non-perishable, easy to prepare, shelf stable foods

  • Non-electric phone for emergency calls

  • Non-electronic entertainment

  • Chemical light sticks – glow sticks

 

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Keeping spirits up is essential. Remember to try to keep things fun while waiting. Card games, board games, and reading are all fantastic ways to pass the time. If you are enjoying the glow of your fireplace, indoor camping with the family can make for a good time.

I may have been caught off guard by a recent power failure, but thanks to Napoleon, things were definitely not as bad as they could have been. Do you have an emergency kit, in case of a situation like this? Comment with your thoughts on kit content. For more inspiration on cooking, home heating, décor and everything else, watch our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.

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