The 2022-2023 winter season in New York state has been a weird one, to say the least.

Buffalo and Western New York have seen multiple record-setting snow events that rank among the worst storms to ever hit the Empire State, while the New York City area has barely had any snow at all this year. This extreme weather also brings with it several other issues that we need to deal with like airport closures & flight cancelations, travel bans, and power outages.

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The latest storm that has hit Western and Central New York started with freezing rain & sleet, which quickly turned into snow that subsequently froze and left a nice sheet of ice all over the area. All of that ice has also contributed to another wave of power outages all across New York State.

National Grid
National Grid
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This is at least the 3rd set of power outages that have hit the area this winter season and it's leaving a lot of people concerned about what to do when the lights go out. If you're anything like me, then you want to make sure that you have the proper tools to be prepared for the next one that hits and these tips might help you out.

Keep Your Refrigerator and Freezer Closed

Bloomberg via Getty Images
Bloomberg via Getty Images
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I know I have the habit to eat when I'm bored, and when the power goes out and so does the wifi, that habit increases. However, when you lose power, do your best to stay out of the fridge. Keeping it closed will allow the insulation inside the fridge to maintain its temperature and allow your food to stay cold longer.

If You Use A Generator, Keep It Away From The House

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Getty Images
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If you are lucky enough to have a generator to use as backup power, it's important to make sure you do not use it inside and that you keep it as far away from your house as you can. The exhaust from a gasoline or propane generator is dangerous and can kill you. So please be safe.

Don't Use Your Gas Stove To Heat Your Home

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Just like with a generator, the potential for dangerous gases to collect inside of your home exists if you use your gas stove to heat the house. So make sure you take due care when trying to stay warm.

Disconnect Appliances & Electronics to Avoid Power Surges

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When the lights do come back on, sometimes there is a surge of power through the electrical system and those surges can cause damage to your electronics and appliances. It's a best practice to unplug those items after the power goes out just to make sure they're protected when the power comes back on.

More information about power outage readiness can be found on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website here.

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