5 Ways to Stay Safe During Winter Storms
- Emergency Car Kit
- Emergency Home Kit
- Insulate Pipes
- Alternative Heat Source
- Weather Stripping and Window Film
While there are latitudes in the United States that don’t have to cope with heavy snow, nearly every area faces some danger from winter storms and high winds. Because these storms can pose a threat to individuals at home and on the road, this article provides five necessary steps anyone can take to stay warm and safe this season.
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1. Have an Emergency Car Kit
While power outages do feature on this list, one of the most important places to have an emergency kit is in the car or truck. In addition to ensuring that antifreeze levels are adequate and the battery has a healthy charge, this kit can provide tools to avoid stranding or those that increase the odds of survival and rescue. In addition to some dry, non-perishable snacks and bottles of water, just a few basic items should be included. A blanket or two, jumper cables, kitty litter or sand, and an ice scraper for glass can permanently live in the trunk. Local maps, a spare cell phone charger, and flares or reflective road triangles should accompany them.
2. Prepare and Restock an Emergency Home Kit
Depending on the geographic location, the risks for winter storms differ in nature and intensity. It’s crucial that individuals be aware of current weather reports and general patterns of seasonal storm activity to prepare a safety kit. Because some of the items in this kit will require periodic restocking or replacing, a pre-winter check and shop should be part of winter preparedness. In addition to flashlights, extra batteries, water, and non-perishable foods, the kit should contain any medications for humans and pets and a first aid kit. When making the package, according to ready.gov. one should consider the specific needs of household members.
3. Insulating Pipes and Other Outer Preparations
Because suddenly plunging temperatures and high winds can wreak havoc on the fabric of any home, experts advise individuals to ensure pipes on outside walls are amply insulated. State Farm advises that other preparations that can act as troubleshooting for winter weather emergencies include checking the furnace, having any chimneys cleaned and repaired, and even banking the foundation around the outside. If winter storms cut power or gas to the home, the house will retain heat better, and there will be fewer mishaps, such as burst water pipes. Another precaution to prevent flooding is to allow external wall pipes drip overnight and leave cabinet doors ajar.
4. Alternative Heat Source
When a winter storm brings rain or snow and high winds, it can knock out power and other utilities for days. In addition to an emergency kit, having an alternative heat source that can be used safely and reliably indoors is vital. While many homes have a fireplace, not all dwellings are so equipped. Individuals with a fireplace should make sure that they have at least several days’ worth of dry wood on hand. For those who do not, investigating fuel-run space heaters that can be run during the waking hours and are safe to use indoors is a priority.
5. Weather Stripping and Window Film
Heat retention helps to keep energy costs low during the winter months. However, it can also mean staying comfortable and safe during an extended power outage caused by winter storms. Weather stripping helps stop drafts and heat loss around doors and window embrasures. Such losses cost money and, when the power is out, comfort. Applying new weather stripping can quickly solve these issues. Another way to prevent heat loss through single-pane windows is window film. These kits are widely available, especially in regions that experience harsh winter temperatures and weather conditions, and consist of plastic film that can be sealed over the window as a whole.
While most envision blinding snowstorms when the subject of winter safety and preparedness arises, it’s important to remember that floods and torrential rains also cause problems. Staying safe, warm, and dry during a power outage is possible, but requires a bit of forethought and preparation. Just follow these easy steps or consult your local government page for salient steps to prepare for winter storms.