Most Common Mistakes Oklahomans Make When Power Goes Out

Anyone whose lived in Oklahoma for longer than a year knows just how unprepared we get for true winter weather when it hits. Despite the deicer on the roads, generators everyone buys in advance, we still have unexpected accidents. This is especially true when people try to heat their homes, but make some detrimental mistakes while doing so.

The last thing you want to do during a winter storm is end up without a home, or in the hospital. Avoid making these mistakes that a lot of people do when they've lost electricity.

Don't leave the oven open to heat your home.

One of the leading causes of carbon monoxide poisoning is due to people leaving gas ovens open and on, trying to heat their home. Even I confess to trying this a few times, but this is a dangerous idea.

More than likely, if you're trying to heat your home using this method, you won't have windows or doors open, or no proper ventilation. This just means you're filling your home with carbon monoxide - the one gas that is tasteless, odorless, and colorless, so you have no way of knowing it's there.

NO DIY heaters!

You may have seen some videos online sharing "hacks" for heating your home or your room with things like terra cotta pots and candles. While it's cool and all to do things differently, it's also a safety hazard. You're still at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning, and there have been instances of fires starting, pots breaking from intense heat, and melting materials.

This method has also been proven not to be effective for heating your home to a comfortable temperature: one set up doesn't produce enough heat, and adding more tea lights or candles can increase your risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.

Rather than trying to find some crafty way to heat your home, stick to the things that have been proven to be safe.

Generators stay OUTSIDE!

This one is so important: do not bring your generators inside. We get it - it's cold and no one wants to have to get layered up to go outside and get the generator going. But, there's a lot more you'll lose if you make the mistake of keeping it indoors.

@thaterdoctor please, please, please keep your generators 20ft away from your house #emergencymedicine #doctorsoftiktok #medicine #generator #pleasepleaseplease #greenscreen ♬ Please Please Please - Sabrina Carpenter

As you can probably guess, carbon monoxide poisoning is another risk you pose when you decide to run a generator indoors, this includes in garages, mud rooms, and enclosed patios. It is also extremely likely that the build up lasts for hours, and you would never know.

So when you're trying to heat your home without electricity, be mindful of the things that have been proven to work and do not pose a risk to you and your family for carbon monoxide poisoning.