Hundreds
of Americans get injured or even die each year because of exposure to cold,
accidents caused by wintry roads, and fires from heaters. This piece of
information alone should already drive you to prepare for snowstorms. Even if
you don’t live where it snows, you may travel to somewhere that does.
We
gathered comprehensive guidelines on preparing before and during a snowstorm to
keep you and your loved ones safe throughout the winter season.
Types of Snow Storm Warnings
According
to the Red Cross, there are four types of warnings for a snowstorm that you may
hear over the radio, news, television, etc. and it is important for you to know
the differences. These include:
·
Winter Storm Outlook. A winter
storm is possible in the following 2 to 5 days.
·
Winter Weather Advisory. A
winter storm is expected to cause inconveniences and may be dangerous.
·
Winter Storm Watch. A winter
storm may occur in the next 36 to 48 hours. People in the watch area are
encouraged to review their winter storm plans and stay informed about the
weather.
·
Winter Storm Warning. This
warning means the condition can be life-threatening. The severe winter storm
may have begun or will begin within 24 hours. People in a warning area need to
take precautions instantly.
What to Do Before a Snow Storm
You
can never be too prepared for a snowstorm. That is why we recommend you to get
acquainted with these tips now to be safer and more comfortable during a
blizzard.
Preparing the Family
·
Create a household evacuation
plan that is aligned with your community’s risk and response plans.
·
If you have pets, bring them
indoors. If you cannot, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm
and access to food and unfrozen water.
·
You and your family need to
prepare a 3-day supply of water, specifically 3 gallons per person, as well as
meals that are easy to prepare.
·
Purchase a weather radio so you
can stay informed of the situation if power is cut off. Make sure it is
battery-operated and that you have extra batteries.
·
Ready some flashlights and
candles. In case the power goes out, always use your flashlight first to avoid
a house fire.
·
You also need to prepare a lot
of blankets. You’ll be needing them in case power goes off. It is also highly
recommended for you to stay in the same room during this time.
·
Purchase a high-quality shovel
so you can dig yourself out after the storm even before help comes.
·
Learn how to treat frostbite
and hypothermia. You can print the guidelines so you won’t forget the right
methods.
Preparing Your Home
·
Clear rain gutters to allow
water to flow away from your home since melting snow can build up if they are
clogged with debris. Also, check your roof for leaks.
·
Check if your home is properly
insulated. Make sure your doors are caulked and weather-stripped to maintain
the heat inside. You can also install storm windows or cover them with plastic
for more insulation.
·
Pieces of heating equipment are
also necessary. This can include wood or coal-burning stoves, and electric or
kerosene (if legal in your area) heaters. Remember that stoves should be
properly vented and the ashes should be thrown out safely. Your electric space
heaters should be certified by a testing laboratory and unplugged when not in
use. Learn the correct fuel for your units and do it only outdoors when it’s
cool.
·
Install carbon monoxide alarms
inside your house as poisoning is more likely to happen when people use
alternative heat sources.
·
Make sure you have fire
extinguishers in your room and that everyone is equipped to use them. House
fires are common during this season due to the common use of alternate heat
sources.
Preparing Your Car
·
Install snow tires that are of
high-quality since they can help you drive safely on snowy and slippery roads.
·
Check antifreeze levels in your
car as well as the wipers. These can prevent troubles during months that
involve snowstorms.
·
Check your heater. If you were
stuck in your car for a long time, you might freeze to death! A working heater
can help prevent discomfort.
·
Inspect your battery. Car
battery capacities decrease in cold weather, so make sure the fluids and cables
are still in good condition.
·
Don’t hesitate to have all of
these checked by a mechanic. After all, they know best about vehicles.
What to Do During a Snowstorm
Don’t
assume that you’ll be safe for the snowstorm just because you made all the
preparations before it. Here are some things for you to consider!
At Home
·
Turn on every faucet if
temperatures are extremely low. Although this may cost you more in your water
bill, it will save you a lot of time if your pipes freeze. In the case of
frozen pipes, use a hairdryer to warm them. If you do not have power, just wrap
them in rags, pour them with hot water, and open all faucets. Try opening your
kitchen sink cabinets for warmer water to circulate around the pipes.
·
If the power goes out, put
towels at the bottom of the door and everywhere else with gaps like windows.
Dress in layers too in order to stay warm. Lightweight clothing in lots of
layers is highly recommended.
·
Eat a lot of food to produce
more body heat.
·
Unplug any unimportant
electrical equipment to avoid a surge when the power comes back.
While Driving
·
Avoid driving, but if you
really must, make sure that you account for more travel time. Slower traffic
along the way is typical because of unplowed roads. You also need to drive
slower than usual. The faster you go, the less reaction time you’ll have to
handle your car skidding on ice.
·
Always watch out for black ice
or thin, transparent ice that blends in with the color of the pavement.
·
In case you’re stuck in your
car, call for help immediately. Getting out of the car as soon as possible will
also prevent you from getting poisoned by carbon monoxide.
Brave the Blizzard!
Heavy
snowfall at the wrong time can be a rude surprise especially if you don’t have
the necessary supplies for preparation or cleanup. It can also be alarming if
you and your other family members do not have an emergency plan for the
snowstorm!
Don’t
be caught off guard the next time a snowstorm happens in your location. Make
sure you are always prepared ahead of time with the right goods, tools, and
plans to brave the blizzard and get through it safely!
Reference Link: https://primitivesurvivors.com/prepping-for-snowstorm/
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