In the weeks after the Halloween snow storm I listened to a lot of stories from clients and friends who had lost electricity for a few days. Here are the 10 best “survival” tips .

#1: Make sure to call the utility company, don’t presume that your neighbor has called, he might think that you did.

#2: If there is snow on the ground, put as much as you can in your refrigerator and freezer to keep the temperature down.

#3: If you have 2 refrigerators, place some food that you want to eat in one and tape the door of the second one so that nobody can open it by mistake.

#4: Don’t forget that you have a gas-powered barbecue outside, I did !

#5: Necessary equipment: battery-powered head lamps and lanterns; crank or solar-powered or battery-powered emergency radio ( some do all that), mittens with open fingers, hats, thermos bottles that you can get filled with hot beverages at the nearest place which has power. And of course ample supply of batteries.

#6: Wear the mittens and hats. Keep the hat on when you go to sleep.

#7: Cuddle under the blankets with humans and pets.

#8: Know your neighbors. I heard of a street without electricity except for 3 houses. The owners of one the house with electricity invited all the neighbors to come to their house to take showers, recharge cell phones, hang out and cook their food that was going to spoil.

#9: Have good friends: One friend hosted me for showers and breakfasts, another one came to pick-up my laundry, a third one gave me dinner.

#10: Don’t lose your sense of humor, the power will come back eventually!