I’ve never appreciated power like I have today.  After spending about 11 hours in the dark Wednesday, I more fully appreciate my hair dryer, coffee maker and heat.  It’s a reminder of the things we all need to get ready before the next power outage. 

Just a couple of days before the storm, I interviewed Marie Fickert from the Chico Fire  Department about emergency preparedness.  She has a whole list of useful recommendations, like having at least one corded telephone that doesn’t use electricity.  I thought to myself, that’s a good idea.  We got rid of our last corded phone years ago.  Many of these things sound obvious, but in our busy lives, sometimes you forget to stock up on extra batteries after you put the last one in your kids’ Christmas toys.   The fire department has compiled a whole list of handy reminders. 

Just go to http://www.chico.ca.us/fire/get_the_latest.asp and then click on Cold Weather tips in the right column.

Of course when the lights went out Wednesday, I still had no corded phone.  Thankfully I had my cell phone (at least until the battery died).   The house started to get cold and I had no

firewood.  Thankfully our resourceful Action News meteorologist Kris Kuyper came to the rescue with a bundle of wood for our family.   

Now the lights are back on (thank you PG&E) and I’m taking stock of what we have and don’t have for the next storm.  I'll see you at the store.  I'll be the one pushing the card filled with the corded phone, firewood and D batteries.

Thanks for reading and watching,

Kelli Saam