Springtime and early summer are the seasons for windstorms, tornadoes, and hail in many parts of the country.
If they are common where you live, put together a power outage kit to ensure that you're prepared. Keep it in a water-resistant storage container in a location you can easily access.
The kit should include:
* A safe light source such as a battery-powered lantern, flashlights or battery-powered area lights, and extra batteries. Avoid candles.
* An assortment of hand tools including pliers, a screwdriver, a cutting blade and a wire cutter.
* Include a utility knife, duct tape, a utility lighter to light pilot lights, a fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit.
Note that if all your phones are portable, they won't work when the power is out, and you won't be able to charge your cell phone.
Other items you will want to have available are a battery-operated radio for news updates and instructions, a battery-operated clock, prescription medications, and pet supplies.
There could be a long wait before power comes on, so know where you can find your favorite books, decks of cards, and games.