Preparing for a winter power outage

Aside from a generator, what suggestions do you have for preparing for a power outage in the winter? I have a battery backup/car jumper thing that might work for an electric heater, but I'd like to maybe invest in something more reliable. As the collection and size of snakes gets progressively larger, the likelihood of me being able to relocate all of them for a night or three to my inlaws' house.

Any suggestions?

Actually a small generator can work well, I beleive you can get them for $400 now. Get lots of power cords, have candles on hand (They actually kept our incubator hot.) as well as disposable hand warmers. And a temperature alarm for when you arn't near by.
Hope this helps some.