Gear Up For Winter Emergencies!

 

Gear Up For Winter Emergencies!
If electricity goes out due to bad weather, or you’re traveling and stranded in your car, are you ready? Here are some tips to help you prepare for winter emergencies.

 

By Julie Shissler
First, it’s a good idea to have a stockpile in your cupboard. Canned goods or boxed foods will keep for a long time without refrigeration; food and snacks which do not have to be cooked make life easier. Keep a manual can opener handy. Utilize the weather conditions - cold foods can be stashed in a cooler outside during a long power outage.  By keeping items you’ll want readily available in a cooler outside, you’ll preserve your food in the ‘fridge for later use by not “letting the cold air out.”

Camp stoves and grills are handy, but please use them outside to prevent dangerous, possibly deadly, buildup of carbon monoxide in your home.

Now, let’s take a look outside. You’ll need a shovel to dig out after the storm, or create access for emergency services. Rock salt helps melt ice on shoveled walkways, driveways and porches. Wood ashes from your fireplace or woodstove help with melting and increase traction in driveways; keep them away from entrances or you’ll track in a mess. Remember when shoveling not to over exert yourself, and warm up as you would for any exercise.

Grandma’s oil lamps never go out of style. They’re still available, along with odorless lamp oils. Aladdin lamps give off as much light as a 60-watt bulb. Pillar type candles will give extra light and are more stable than tapers. Never leave a burning candle or lamp unattended.  Got matches?  Flashlights (rechargeable, battery operated or hand cranked) are handy in areas where it’s not safe to have a candle. Battery operated lanterns such as the 10 Day Lantern from eGear should be stored with extra batteries.

A battery or hand-cranked radio will keep you informed of weather reports and cleanup efforts.  Some radios are even able to recharge cell phones. Cordless phones and cell phones are everywhere, but in an emergency they may not work. Every household needs a corded phone, which derives its power from the telephone line, not your electrical service.

Bottled water is essential for people whose water supply is from a well, as the pump will not work during a power outage. If you know an outage is eminent, fill your bathtub to allow water to flush toilets, etc. Have a few extra days’ supply of essential items such as prescription medicine, diapers, baby food, pet food, wet wipes and toiletries.

What did we do before TV and the internet? Board games, puzzles, books, cards, and craft projects will help to pass the time. You may even be a little sorry when the lights come back on!

Winter travel can be unpredictable. It’s a good idea to be prepared. Always check the weather forecast before embarking on a trip and outfit your car with a few necessities. You can buy a car safety kit or create your own. You’ll need to add some essentials, such as medications, to a purchased kit. A basic car kit should contain flares, jumper cables, basic tools, a flashlight and batteries. If you don’t have snow tires and four-wheel drive, carry tire chains. Some communities in the mountains have restrictions prohibiting travel without either chains or four-wheel drive.

In the trunk:   carry kitty litter for traction and a little extra weight (that can be helpful for extra traction, too), a folding shovel, tow rope or chain, and fuel line de-icer. Your ice scraper/snow brush should already be in the car. An emergency whistle and brightly colored bandana (tie it to your radio antenna) will help rescuers find you if you’re off the road.

Layeirng is important in the winter, and your car emergency kit should take that into consideration. Pack blankets and extra clothing, including spare hats, gloves and wool socks for everyone. Sleeping bags and space blankets will keep you warmer while waiting for rescue. To handle some basic needs that may arise, pack some  toilet paper and baby wipes, too. Your fellow travelers may have their own special needs; make sure those are covered. It’s better to carry extra supplies than to be stranded without enough.

Store water bottles and juice boxes in a small cooler to keep from freezing. Beef jerky, nuts, chocolate, packaged crackers or cookies, protein bars, dried fruit, and candy will keep well inside a metal or heavy plastic container to keep varmints out. 

The most important part of your emergency kit is a cell phone. Pay-as-you-go options are out there with various plans for minutes; there’s one for every budget. Keep it plugged into your car charger, ready for use when traveling. Store a list of emergency numbers in the phone. Use the acronym ICE to store emergency contact information (usually a family member) who can make decisions for you if you are unable to do so. ICE stands for In Case of Emergency. That’s an important tip for everyday, not just winter travel.

Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the fuel system and be aware of changing conditions. A couple of degrees in the winter time can make a big difference. Try not to travel alone in unfamiliar places. Make sure someone knows your timetable with primary and alternate routes and should you be delayed, let someone know you’re OK.

Winterize your vehicle early, making sure the tread on your tires is good enough to last all season. A good test is to make Abe Lincoln stand on his head. By putting a penny upside down in your tread, you can tell if you need to purchase new tire. If you see the top of Abe’s head, it’s time. Good preparation stacks the cards in your favor. Be careful… and happy travels!