This week’s high winds and power outages reminded us that we really should stock up on batteries, of all kinds and sizes – for the radio, the flashlights and a weird kind of lamp that uses one of those large batteries.

Federal Emergency Management and Maine Emergency Management have pages of suggestions on what to do in an emergency. Some of us, who are senior citizens, can cope quite well. Many of us were raised in houses without electricity and we are living proof that life can go on without television or a refrigerator or even the computer. There are millions of people who live full, healthy lives without the conveniences many of us take for granted.

We turned to the FEMA and MEMA Web sites for the following information about how to cope.

The most important thing is to stay informed. Pay attention to weather predictions. Find out how your town is planning to deal with a long-term disaster like a flood, townwide power outages, etc.

Before the storm – gather up your candles and put them in one place that you can get to if the lights go out. I always keep one candle in the bathroom, just in case! Keep a package of matches with the candles. Keep a flashlight on the table beside every bed and another by the kitchen door. Remember once you’ve used them to put them back where they belong! Fill your tea kettle with water. Find that old-fashioned can opener and put it where you can find it easily.

What will you need if you can’t get out for three days and don’t have electricity? Here are some suggestions:

• 3-day supply of nonperishable food that does not require cooking (canned goods & a regular non-electric can opener; crackers, peanut butter, prepackaged cooked meals)

• 3-day supply of water (1 gallon of water per person, per day)

• Portable, battery powered radio with extra batteries

• Flashlights with extra batteries

• First aid kit (see below)

• Cash

• Telephone that works if the electricity is off

• A safe way to heat food and water: camp stove, etc.

• A way to keep warm if the power is off: sleeping bags, extra blankets, etc.

• 3-day supply of your medicines on hand at all times – keep them in a ziplock bag, zipped!

• Items for infants: formula, diapers, etc.

Food and water for pets

Do you have a first aid kit? You might have most of the following items in your medicine cabinet, but it would be a good idea to assemble a first aid kit – one for your house (or to take with you) and one for the car. Here’s what the experts suggest:

(20) adhesive bandages, various sizes

(1) 5″ x 9″ sterile dressing

(1) conforming roller gauze bandage

(2) triangular bandages

(2) 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads

(2) 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads.

(1) roll 3″ cohesive bandage

(2) germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer

(6) antiseptic wipes

(2) pair large medical grade non-latex gloves

Adhesive tape, 2″ width

Anti-bacterial ointment

Cold pack

Scissors (small, personal)

Tweezers

CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield

Non-prescription drugs to include aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid, etc.

I’d throw in a few packages of matches, too, in a waterproof container (an old Band Aid can is good – do Band Aids still come in cans?).