Winter is quickly approaching, so it’s time to prepare for the risks of winter weather conditions. Learning how to emergency prep for a winter storm may seem easy, but planning and execution take time. You need to know how to prepare your home and car for extremely cold air. You also need to consider the possibility of having to evacuate your home and what you should pack when you have to leave your shelter. Follow along as you learn how to prepare for an emergency in a winter storm.
Emergency Prep for a Winter Storm
When it comes to emergency prep for a winter storm, you must know WHAT to do. Think of it as a checklist of sorts. It’s important to know what you need to do ahead of time for that freezing storm so that when the time does come, you’re ready. You can’t prepare after an emergency strikes, so you must prep yourself NOW.
Prepare Your Home
One of the most important things you can do for winter storm prep is to prepare your home. Think of your home as your hiding place. It’s the place that will keep you warm and safe.
Your home should be fully insulated. It’s difficult to add insulation to exterior walls, but putting extra insulation in your attic helps maintain proper temperatures inside in both winter and summer. Also, take the time to go around all the windows in your home and make sure they are caulked and no cold air is coming through. Caulk is inexpensive and fairly easy to apply to cracks and separations around those exterior windows. Storm windows for your exterior doors is an option, but can be costly upfront. They will make a difference and can pay for themselves over time.
It also helps to properly insulate water pipes that are exposed to exterior walls. Pipes running to faucets and toilets near those exterior walls can be insulated pretty easily and without much cost. In extremely cold weather you’re advised to open cabinets in your kitchen and bathrooms so warmer air can help keep the pipes from freezing. If you’ve had problems in the past, consider a small space heater in those rooms that tend to get colder. Be cautious how you place your heater so it won’t set anything on fire nearby.
If you have to leave your home during extremely cold weather, consider shutting off the water valves to the home. Some people leave a small stream of water running. Those are decisions you’ll need to evaluate.
Check doors to ensure no cold air is coming through any cracks. Doing this now will ensure your home is fully prepped for any winter weather.
Other Home Preparation Step to Take
Make sure you check your fireplace flue so it is clear of debris that builds up. That may require a professional’s help, but it’s worth the expense. Have some wood and/or coal fuel supplies stored in case you lose your furnace due to a power outage.
It’s also wise to have the furnace checked out annually so it’s ready to go when you set your thermostat for winter temperatures.The professionals can check for any leaks in the system so you’re not exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors are replaced at least annually. A new battery can mean all the difference when trying to protect your family. Have extra batteries available so you can change them when necessary.
Be sure your furnace room is clear of anything flamable and don’t allow the room to get cluttered.
Check the batteries in your smoke detectors and replace as necessary. Be sure to test those smoke alarms every couple of months to make sure they are functioning properly.
Prep Your Pantry
Prepping your pantry for a winter storm is a real thing. You’ll want to ensure you have the right foods in your pantry in case of a winter storm.
If the power goes out, you won’t be able to rely heating the food for meal prep, unless you have some alternative cooking device options availalbe. Check my archive for posts about cooking when the power goes out. So, you must ensure your pantry is stocked with the appropriate foods for an emergency.
I highly recommend that you store several types of canned foods, from soups to canned fruits, veggeis and meat choices. Having the right canned foods on hand will help ensure that your family does not starve during a winter weather emergency.
Also, if you have to survive for several weeks off the food in your pantry, you’ll want to ensure you can use it. The foods need to be what you family likes, and you’ll some water to prepare many food items. And for the love of everything good, don’t forget a can opener! Survival Food I Recommend
Prep a Home Emergency Kit
There is a lot more to surviving a winter storm than food, water, and a warm home. You have to prepare as though no one else will be able to get to you. As you prepare, remember that you may be the only resource available for anything you need. It’s essential to emergency prep now so you’re ready later.
Here are some of the items you may want to include in your home emergency kit:
- Warm blankets
- Layers of warm clothes and extra clothes in case of wet clothing as you use your snow shovel. Have some warm hats, mittens, and a scarf to keep from getting hypothermia. Mittens, gloves, and warm socks are vital so you can reduce the chance for frostbite.
- Flashlights, Headlamps, and Lanterns
- Candles
- Cell phone
- Cell phone charger
- Extra water and food
- A good quality generator
- Heat In A Can by Linda (use outside only)
- Medications that are taken each day
- Have a way to stay on top of weather paterns in your area. You want to receive emergency alerts like winter storm watches and winter storm warnings. If you have a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) capable radio you’re set. I also like to have a radio that can be hand cranked since you may lose power for an extended period.
Of course, this list is changeable, depending on who in your family needs what. It is intended to give you ideas, but you should prep whatever makes you feel comfortable. You’ll be glad you included the right items in your supply kit(s).
Prep a Medical Kit
Prepping an emergency kit for a winter storm is essential, but prepping a medical kit is one of the more critical things to do. A medical kit may be all you have if something were to happen.
An emergency medical kit should include more than just the basics. It should also include the more complex items. Be sure to include a list of the signs of hypothermia, like drowsiness, loss of feeling in the extremities, uncontrolable shivering, low body temperature, memory loss, and disorientation.
Here is a list of items to put in a medical kit…
- Anesthetic wipes
- Splint
- Band-aids in different sizes
- Adhesive tape
- Sterile gauze
- Aspirin
- Scissors
- Safety pins
- Warm blanket
- Non-latex gloves
- Extra prescribed medicine
- Calamine lotion
- Emergency phone numbers
- CPR kit
Don’t skimp on any of these items because you’ll want to ensure you have all of them in case of an emergency. Natural disasters happen every single day. Are you prepared? Remember that the American Red Cross or local first responders can’t always get to you immediately. Sometimes, you’ll have to fend for yourself for a few hours or days.
What are the good things to have in a survival kit?
Whether you call it an emergency kit or a survival kit, there are some essential things to have in these kits. Basic survival kits need water purification tablets, duct tape, metal pots, tools, an emergency poncho, a basic first aid kit, and whatever else you may need based on location, weather, and family size and circumstances.
Remember that a survival kit includes the MINIMUM needed to survive. Get your family members involved in creating these kits. Also, don’t forget sturdy shoes!
What should I know about emergency preparedness?
Let’s talk about emergency preparedness for a minute. The whole point of prepping an emergency kit NOW is in the event of an emergency later. All types of emergencies happen, and you must be prepared for them.
Human caused disasters happen every year, and emergency management is important. Make sure you’re doing what you can now to be prepared. It doesn’t have to be a natural disaster. People have accidents, get sick and can’t work, or there are layoffs, making it difficult to provide for your family. Having emergency supplies to tide you over is critical. You can’t always rely on the government or relief agencies. Get extended family onboard with being prepared so you can help support each other in challenging times.
How often should you update an emergency kit?
While you may not face an emergency daily, you should check your emergency kit every six months. You don’t need to be obsessed with it, but you should check it a few times yearly.
Also, as the Centers for Disease Control update their information on disease control and prevention, you’ll want to ensure you update your emergency kit as necessary.
What makes a winter emergency kit different than any other time of the year?
The bottom line is that you don’t want to fall short anytime, but especially during winter. Staying warm is essential. Many people die from hypothermia because they can’t stay warm enough. You can’t go wrong with prepping an emergency kit for winter.
Considering all of these tips, customize the winter emergency kit for your family. There may be certain things you need that other families don’t.
Get Your Car Ready For Winter
- Rotate tires if necessary
- Put snow tires on if you use them. Put a sand bag or rock salt in your trunk to use for traction if you get stuck.
- Keep your gas tank at 3/4 to full at all times. If you have to evacuate you can skip those gas station lines.
- Get your car serviced as needed. The sooner the better so you’re not caught in the early winter rush. Make sure the car’s heating system works, and that includes the window defroster.
- Wash your car and vacuum the mats. You want clear windows since driving in a storm is tough as it is.
- Have your anti-freeze level checked to make sure you can make it through the winter without any engine damage.
- Fill the window washer cleaner fluid. Those windshield wipers should be changed if it’s been a while. The hot summer sun makes them brittle and they won’t wipe the windshield effeciently and reduces visibilty.
- Rotate your Emergency Car Supply Kit Items
- Add some sturdy shoes to your trunk; you’ll be glad you did.
Other Emergency Prep Posts to Check
- Emergency Preparedness – How Prepared Are You?
- How to Store Your Emergency Preparedness Items
- Survival Food and Emergency Food Storage
Final Word
I hope today’s post gives you ideas on how to prepare for the coming months. It’s all about planning your emergency prep ahead of time. May God bless this world, Linda
Copyright Images: Snowstorm With Cars Depositphotos_2675642_S By Irishka1, Snowstorm Winter Driving Depositphotos_39221393_S By OlafNaami
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