Winter Emergency Preparedness – Here Comes Suzy Snowflake!

It’s that time of year again! Winter! It can be enjoyable with all the outdoor recreational opportunities it provides. It can also be dangerous when severe winter storms come raging and bring freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, high winds, and poor visibility.

Snowstorms occur regularly every winter throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Although the first snow can cover the world in a beautiful blanket of brilliant white, as little as two inches (5 cm) of snow is enough to create serious traffic problems. (Of course, kids love it when a “snow day” happens and they are forced to stay home.)

BlizzardsMassive snowstorms with high winds make unplowed roads impassable and every winter many cars get stuck in the snow. Snowfall greater than 12 in. (30 cm.) It can collapse on roofs and cause power loss when cables break due to accumulation of snow. Trees can also be toppled by the weight of wet or very dense snow, and winds can form piles many feet high with only a few inches of snow falling.

A few minutes of preparation can go a long way to keeping you and your loved ones safe and comfortable when winter rears its snowy head. Residents should have emergency supplies on hand in their homes, including at least 3 to 4 weeks of potable water and canned and / or dry food.

If there is a power outage:

• Turn off appliances, tools, and electronic equipment (protect sensitive appliances with a surge-protected power bar)
• Lower the heating system thermostat (s) to minimum
• Turn lights off (leave one on to indicate power is restored)
• Open the freezer or refrigerator only when absolutely necessary
• Never use barbecues, camping equipment, or household generators indoors, as they emit carbon monoxide.
• Use suitable candle holders, out of the reach of children. Never leave burning candles unattended; always blow out the candles before going to sleep
• If the power cables are damaged or on the ground, stay at least 10 meters away and call your power company.
• Listen to your radio for information on the outage and advice from local authorities
• Have a carbon monoxide detector in your home; one with wiring must have a backup battery

Motorists should avoid unnecessary trips. A breakdown or accident can be disastrous during harsh winter weather. If the trip is unavoidable, always leave with a full tank of gas and a good set of winter tires. Be sure to listen to the weather updates on local radio stations.

There are a few things you can do to winterize your car:

• Verify that the coolant has the proper mixture of water and antifreeze
• Check the oil recommendations in your car owner’s manual
• Check the battery electrolyte level
• Replace windshield wiper blades with snow blades
• Keep a snow brush / ice scraper in the car
• Run the air to speed up window demisting (run the air conditioner at least once a month)
• Stock up on windshield washer fluid and fill the windshield washer tank regularly
• Buy good snow tires

Some inexpensive items stored in your car during the winter months can increase safety and reduce misery. Your emergency kit should include items to help you get help, stay safe, and keep warm.

A well-stocked emergency winter supply kit should contain:

• 72-hour emergency kit with water and high-energy non-perishable foods (chocolate bars are good, especially with nuts)
• First aid box
• Battery jumper cables
• Methyl hydrate (fuel line deicing)
• Shovel and tow rope
• Bag of sand and / or salt (cat litter works too)
• Basic tool set (screwdriver, pliers, pocket knife, adjustable wrench)
• Compass
• Ax gold shaft
• Signaling aids (flares, reflective triangle, distress signal, brightly colored cloth)
• Windshield Scraper with Brush
• Extra windshield washer fluid and a 5-gallon gas tank
• Flashlight and extra batteries, or candles and matches / lighter (in a waterproof bag)
• Crank radio (no batteries required)
• Sleeping bags and / or blankets
• Additional winter clothing: hats that cover the ears (30-40% of body heat is lost through the head), scarves, mittens (warmer than gloves), warm socks, boots.
• Money (including phone change)
• Fully charged cell phone to call for help – have a power adapter, extra charged battery, and car charger

Store your emergency kit in the trunk if it is accessible from inside the car. If not, consider packing your emergency kit in a small duffel bag and storing it in the passenger footwell. It can be easily accessed by the driver and will not become a projectile in a collision.

Getting caught in a blizzard on county roads seems plausible, but why do city drivers need an emergency kit? In a large metropolis, a major snowstorm can block highways and trap drivers. It may take several hours for traffic to flow again. Having an emergency kit can mean the difference between potentially fatal hypothermia and a long, boring but relatively comfortable wait.

Play smart this winter. Be Prepared – Before Disaster Strikes!