Students stocked up for last minute supplies before the winter storm on Monday.

The most common food items included bread and milk, said Randy Rock, Charleston Wal-Mart manager.

Rock said the Charleston Wal-Mart experienced a 25 percent increase in sales on Monday.

The Charleston Wal-Mart sold out of almost all of their winter supplies, including shovels and ice melts.

“It was a great day in sales,” Rock said.

Rock said that he did not see as many customers Tuesday morning.

“I have seen an increase of student traffic late last night and early morning,” Rock said.

Jim Buening, manager of the Save-A-Lot, would not comment if Save-A-Lot experienced an increase in sales on Monday.

“There were definitely more customers in the stores,” Buening said.

Buening said Save-A-Lot does not sell snow equipment, but customers stocked up on food supplies, and they sold out of rocks, which customers use to break up the snow on their driveways.

Leigh Morris, a spokesperson of Ameren Illinois, said students should prepare before the winter storm occurs.

“Students should have sufficient food supplies for at least 3-5 days worth,” Morris said.

In case of a power outrage, students should have an emergency kit containing first aid, flashlights and extra batteries in their homes.

Morris said that landline cordless phones would not work during power outages, so students need to have a hardwire phone or a fully charged cell phone, Morris said.

“If a person is on medication, they should have an extra supply of their medication on hand,” Morris said.

Students should take steps to keep as warm as possible such as dressing in layers, Morris said.

Students should also turn off water faucets to prevent pipes from freezing and not leave their oven doors open to heat their apartment, Morris said. Leaving open an oven door could start a fire or lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

“Tempting as it can be, do not use your oven unless you are baking something,” Morris said.

If a student purchases a generator, they should hire an electrician to install a transfer switch, which isolates currents powered by the generator and prevents electric currents from being sent back to Ameren’s power grid.

A lineman could be electrocuted if the currents created by the generator went back to the grid, Morris said

He also said students should not place a generator in a closed area.

“Generators are not for everyone,” Morris said. Students should think about the pros and cons of a buying generator for an apartment or house.

“Generators are expensive and can be noisy,” Morris said.

Elizabeth Edwards can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].