So, the ice storm forecast for this weekend went from "maybe a little freezing rain" to "potentially serious power outages," and I'll be honest, I panicked a little. We're not exactly known for our winter weather preparedness down here in Charlotte, and the thought of losing power with a toddler in the house sent me into full mama bear mode.
I've spent the last couple days ordering supplies, talking to friends with babies and older kids, and trying to figure out what we actually need versus what's just my anxiety talking. Here's what I've learned about prepping for an ice storm when you have little ones who depend on you for everything.
The Reality Check
First, let's be real about what we're dealing with. Ice storms in Charlotte are no joke. Trees come down, power lines snap, and suddenly you're without electricity for hours or even days. The temperature drops, the house gets cold, and you've got a baby who needs bottles warmed or a toddler who doesn't understand why their nightlight won't turn on.
This isn't about fear mongering. It's about being prepared so you can stay calm and keep your kids safe and comfortable if things go sideways.
The Basics (Everyone Needs These)
Before we get into age-specific stuff, here are the universal must-dos:
Fill your bathtub with water before the storm hits. You can use it for flushing toilets if the water goes out or if your well pump stops working. It's not drinking water unless you treat it, but it's incredibly useful to have.
Charge every device you own. Phones, tablets, laptops, portable chargers, everything. If you have battery packs, charge those too. Your phone is your lifeline for updates, outage maps, and emergency contacts.
Fill up your car with gas. Gas stations can't pump without power. Even if you're planning to stay home, you want a full tank in case you need to go somewhere or just run the car for heat.
Have cash on hand. If card readers go down, cash is king.
Know where your circuit breaker is and how to turn off your main water valve if pipes freeze.
For Families with Babies and Newborns
Stock up on extra formula if you're bottle feeding. I cannot stress this enough. Even if you think you have enough, get more. If the power is out for days, stores might be closed or sold out. You do not want to be in a situation where you're scrambling to find formula for a hungry baby.
Have bottles you can prep without needing to heat them. Babies can drink room temperature formula. If you absolutely need to warm bottles, you can use room temperature water in a bowl (not hot water, which can create hot spots). Just know it takes a while.
If you're nursing, make sure you have plenty of water and snacks for yourself. You'll need extra calories and hydration, especially if you're stressed and cold.
Stock up on diapers and wipes. More than you think you'll need. Also grab diaper cream, any medications your baby takes, infant Tylenol or Motrin (check with your pediatrician on dosing), saline drops, and a thermometer.
Layer your baby for warmth. Onesies, sleepers, sleep sacks, and hats. Babies lose a lot of heat through their heads. The rule of thumb is one more layer than you're wearing. But don't over-bundle to the point where they could overheat. Check their chest or back to make sure they're warm but not sweating.
Have a safe sleep plan. If your house gets really cold, you might be tempted to bring the baby into bed with you or add blankets to their crib. Don't. The safest thing is to dress them warmly and keep them in their crib or bassinet. If you're really worried about the temperature, you can all sleep in one room to share body heat, but follow safe sleep guidelines.
For Families with Toddlers and Preschoolers
We ordered fleece pajamas for Jamie because his regular cotton ones aren't going to cut it if the heat goes out. We also got him a proper snowsuit and winter boots because his current gear is honestly not serious enough for an extended outdoor situation or a very cold house.
Hot Hands hand warmers are clutch. You can stick them in pockets, boots, or even sleeping bags if it gets really cold. Just make sure little ones don't put them directly on their skin.
Battery-powered lanterns are better than flashlights for toddlers. Flashlights are hard for them to hold and can be scary if they're the only light source. Lanterns give off ambient light that's much less alarming. We got a couple of LED lanterns that are bright enough to light a whole room.
Stock up on shelf-stable snacks that don't need refrigeration. Crackers, granola bars, applesauce pouches, peanut butter, bread, cereal, dried fruit, cheese that doesn't need refrigeration (like Babybel). Think about foods your kid will actually eat when they're stressed and off their routine.
Have activities ready that don't require screens. Books, coloring supplies, stickers, puzzles, play dough, building blocks, toy cars. If the power goes out for a while, you're going to need ways to keep them occupied and distracted. Consider wrapping up a few small dollar store toys as "surprises" to pull out when morale is low.
Talk to your toddler or preschooler about what might happen. Don't scare them, but prepare them. "It might get really icy this weekend, and if it does, our lights might go out for a little while. But we have lanterns and flashlights, and we'll all stay together and be cozy." Kids do better when they know what to expect.
Staying Warm (This is the Big One)
I'm heading out today to try to find a propane portable heater because our house gets cold fast without heat. If you get one, make sure it's rated for indoor use and has proper safety features like automatic shut-off. The Mr. Heater Buddy is a popular option. Never, ever use a grill, fire pit, or generator indoors. Carbon monoxide poisoning is real and deadly.
Layer up everyone's bedding. Extra blankets, quilts, sleeping bags if you have them. Fleece blankets are warmer than cotton.
Plan to all sleep in one room if the power goes out. Pick the smallest room you can comfortably fit in (smaller spaces stay warmer), preferably one without a lot of windows. Body heat helps. We're planning to set up a little camp in our bedroom if needed.
Close off rooms you're not using and put towels or blankets under the doors to keep warm air from escaping. Open your curtains during the day to let sunlight in, close them at night to keep heat in.
Dress in layers. Tank top or t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt or fleece, coat if needed. Wool socks are warmer than cotton. Hats make a huge difference because you lose a lot of heat through your head.
Food and Water
Fill up water bottles and pitchers with drinking water. If you have a well, you'll lose water when the power goes out. Even if you're on city water, it's good to have extra on hand.
If the power goes out, your fridge will stay cold for about 4 hours if you don't open it. Your freezer will stay frozen for 24-48 hours if it's full and you keep it closed. Put a cup of water in your freezer with a coin on top before the storm. If the power goes out and comes back on while you're not home, you'll know if your food thawed (the coin will sink) and refroze.
Have a cooler ready. If it gets bad and you need to save perishables, you can store them outside (if it's below 40 degrees) or in your garage.
Stock up on non-perishable foods you can eat cold or heat on a camp stove if you have one. Canned soup, pasta, peanut butter, bread, cereal, oatmeal, canned fruit. Don't forget a manual can opener.
If you have a gas stove, you can still use it during a power outage by lighting the burners with a match or lighter. If you have an electric stove, you're out of luck unless you have a camp stove or grill you can use outside.
Medications and First Aid
Make sure you have any prescription medications filled and on hand. If your child takes daily medication, you don't want to be caught short.
Have a first aid kit stocked with bandages, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers (adult and children's), a thermometer, and any other basics you might need.
If anyone in your family uses medical equipment that requires power (CPAP, nebulizer, oxygen concentrator), have a backup plan. Contact your power company ahead of time to register as a medical needs customer. Know where your nearest hospital or urgent care is.
Entertainment and Sanity
This is the part no one really talks about, but being stuck inside with little kids during a power outage is hard. Really hard. No TV, no tablets, no distractions. Just you and your kid(s) in a cold, dark house.
Lower your expectations for the weekend. Screen time limits can go out the window once devices are charged. Routines will be disrupted. Meals might be weird. Bedtimes might be off. That's okay. You're in survival mode.
Have a plan for keeping kids entertained. In addition to the activities I mentioned earlier, think about things like:
Keep your phone charged so you can check outage maps and updates, but don't doom scroll. It's easy to get sucked into the panic online. Limit your news intake to what you actually need to know.
The Mental Game
Here's the thing I keep reminding myself: kids are resilient. They don't need perfect conditions. They need us to be calm and present. If we're anxious and stressed, they'll pick up on that. If we treat this like an adventure (even if internally we're freaking out), they're more likely to roll with it.
It's okay to feel overwhelmed. It's okay to not have everything figured out. Do what you can to prepare, and then trust that you'll handle whatever comes.
Have a plan for where you'll go if things get really bad. A friend's house with a generator, a parent's place, a warming center (the city usually opens these during extended outages), a hotel. Know your options so you're not making decisions in a crisis.
What We're Doing
For us, here's the game plan: We've ordered lanterns, Hot Hands, fleece pajamas, and a snowsuit for Jamie. I'm going out today to look for a propane heater. We're stocking up on easy foods Jamie will eat (applesauce pouches, crackers, cheese, bread for PB&J). We're filling water bottles and charging everything. We're gathering all our blankets and planning to camp out in our bedroom if the heat goes out. We're lowering our expectations and preparing to just hunker down and ride it out together.
Honestly, this all might be overkill and the storm might not be that bad. The forecast could change. The power might stay on. But I'd rather have lanterns and hand warmers I don't need than be scrambling in the dark with a cold toddler who doesn't understand why nothing is working.
Stay Safe, Charlotte
I hope none of us need any of this. I hope the storm misses us or isn't as bad as predicted. But if it does hit, I hope this helps you feel a little more prepared and a little less panicked.
We've got this, Charlotte families. Stay warm, stay safe, and we'll get through it together.
The Quick Prep Checklist