We were in the studio with Casey Hollins, Director of Communications and Public Relations for Rappahannock Electric Cooperative talking winter storm prep.

Casey gave us several tips to make sure we’re prepared for a power outage in the event of a winter storm. Her main tip was to have everything you need in one easy-to-access place so you don’t have to scramble around. It doesn’t really matter what you put your storm prep kit in, just make sure you’ve got all of these items in one location that you can easily access.

• The number one thing that REC recommends that you put in your storm prep kit is flashlights and fresh batteries.
• Have a good supply of bottled water. Typically for an outage situation that lasts multiple days is one gallon per person per day for drinking. And another thing related to water, if you live in a home that has well water, you shouldn’t try to access your well water because your well pump isn’t going to be working without power. So, fill up your bathtub(s) up if you know that a storm is coming and use that water to boil for cleaning, to flush the toilets, etc.
• Have nonperishable foods to eat that won’t require heating. And, if it’s a canned item, you want to make sure you have a non-electric hand-operated can opener.
• Have extra blankets or bedding.
• Have a first-aid kit with extra medications you may need.
• Have a variety of hand tools – no power tools.
• Have cash. In a power outage situation, you’re not likely going to be able to use a debt or credit card.

In addition to those items in your winter storm prep kit, Casey also recommends that if you have elderly relatives, make sure you have any items that they would need. If you have young children or babies in your home, make sure that you have extra, formula or any of the other supplies like diapers. For older children, make sure you have activities for them to do such as  board games or coloring. In the hours prior to a storm, plug in any of your electronic devices to ensure they have a full charge. If you have a landline phone, remember that cordless phones still require electricity, so add a traditional corded phone to your prep kit.

For more information about how to properly be prepared during an outage, click here.

REC provides electric service to over 170,000 connections in parts of 22 Virginia counties. With its general office in Fredericksburg, VA, the Cooperative operates and maintains more than 17,000 miles of power lines through its service area, which ranges from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Follow REC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.