Photo by Kostiantyn Li on Unsplash
Old Man Winter is already rearing its head throughout much of the nation. With this arrival comes the higher risk of blizzard conditions. This type of weather event can leave you stranded for days, making it important that you prepare yourself and your home. Here are five ways that you can prepare for a blizzard.
Stock Up on All Essentials
It is always a good idea to have at least a three-day supply of essentials for every member of your family in your stockpile. Necessary items include non-perishable foods, bottled water, pet supplies, a first aid kit, and medications. Good shelf-stable foods to have in your stockpile include granola bars, canned goods, instant oatmeal, soup, cereal, boxed milk, and instant coffee. Be sure to keep a manual can opener around in case you lose power and need to open your canned goods.
For blizzards, in particular, you are also going to want to make sure you have flashlights and candles in case the power goes out. Other essentials include rock salt or melt ice, blankets, a snow shovel, and heating fuel.
Ensure Proper Function of HVAC System
The worst time for your furnace to go out is during a blizzard. You can guard your home and your personal comfort against this unfortunate occurrence by checking your HVAC system and making sure that it is working at optimal levels before the threat of severe weather sets in.
Goodman Furnace in Edmonton is happy to come to your home to perform a routine maintenance check on your furnace in anticipation of winter. Regular maintenance can save you a significant amount of money over time while also giving you the peace of mind of knowing that your furnace is ready for the rigors of the winter season. Do not head into the winter without making sure that your HVAC system is prepared to keep you warm and cozy.
Prepare Your Home for the Storm
During a blizzard, your home is your fortress. This means that you need to make sure that it is prepared to offer the protection that you need during extreme weather. You need to apply the applicable weatherstripping to all doors and windows while caulking any air gaps while the weather is still nice. The end of fall is also a good time to clean out your rain gutters and to have your chimney inspected.
Should you lose power during the blizzard, you want to cover the windows with plastic sheeting in order to seal in the warm air. Remember that you should never use a generator or grill in closed areas because of the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. Running a drip of warm water during a blizzard will also help to mitigate the chances that your pipes freeze.
Charge All Applicable Items and Implement an Emergency Plan
One of the worst feelings is losing power and not having access to your smartphone because the battery has died. This is why it is a good idea to take care to ensure that your smartphone is always fully charged. You may also consider buying a charging bank to keep on hand as a backup.
As you are charging your phone, this is also a good time to make sure that you have saved all of the important contacts that you may need. While you are at it, take the time to create a family emergency plan so that everyone is aware of what to do should you get cut off from others. This type of plan is useful for extreme weather events or any other situation when you are out of contact with your loved ones.
Ready Your Vehicle
Clearly, the best place to be during a blizzard is safe at home and off the roads. However, there may be instances where it is imperative that you leave home. For this reason, it is important that your vehicle is prepared for the road ahead.
A mechanic can perform a winter tune-up, ensuring that everything is working properly in your vehicle. You should also fill your tank prior to the storm's arrival and equip your vehicle with a roadside emergency kit.
These five steps will help you to handle what the blizzard throws at you.
Written by Lizzie Howard
About the Author
Lizzie Howard is a Colorado native who after graduating from the University of Colorado spends her time as a freelance writer. When Lizzie isn’t writing, she enjoys going on hikes, baking for her friends and family, and spending time with her beloved yellow lab, Sparky.
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