Freeze-ready: a San Antonio winter power kit
Hard freezes are rare here, but they happen. A short checklist for power, warmth and the kitchen, put together before the first cold front.
Most San Antonio winters are mild enough that a jacket in the car covers it. Every so often, though, an Arctic front pushes all the way down to South Texas, and many of us still remember February 2021, when pipes burst and the power went out for days. The good news is that a little preparation in October costs very little and makes those nights much easier.
1. Keep phones and lights charged
When the power goes out, your phone becomes your radio, flashlight and outage map. A folding portable solar charger with a power box can top up phones on a bright winter day, even through a window. If you have an RV battery or a backup battery bank, a 12V 30W solar panel keeps it from running flat.
- Charge everything when a hard freeze is in the forecast.
- Bookmark your electric utility's outage map and sign up for its text alerts.
- Keep a headlamp or flashlight with fresh batteries where you can find it in the dark.
2. Warm layers for the bed
Heat escapes fast from a cold house. An extra set of sheets and blankets on every bed makes a real difference overnight. Our microfiber sheet set layers well under quilts, and twin cotton sheets fit kids' beds and dorms.
3. A pantry that doesn't need the stove
If the power is out, a microwave and an electric stove are out too. Stock a few shelf-stable meals that you can eat warm or at room temperature, like the Alfredo ready-to-serve meal, plus snacks and drinks. Rice pouches such as butter and garlic Ready Rice are pre-cooked and can be eaten without heating.
4. Protect your pipes
- Find your main water shutoff now and make sure it turns.
- Wrap exposed outdoor pipes and cover hose bibs.
- On the coldest nights, let indoor faucets on outside walls drip slowly and open the cabinet doors under sinks.
5. Fire blankets where the heat is
Winter means more cooking, candles and heaters. A fire blanket smothers a small pan fire faster than you can find a lid. The Emergency Fire Blanket 4-Pack gives you one for the kitchen, garage, car and camper.
That's the whole kit. Put it together on a quiet weekend, and the next cold front will feel like a long night in rather than an emergency.