LOL! Ok so this post won't sound so bad, but at all risk of sounding like a doomsday prepper here are a few things I think we all need to do! Its fall! Colder weather is on its way. Meteorologist are predicting a very harsh winter for most of North America. These few things will help us to weather the storm, so to speak!
1) No matter where you live you should get your heating system checked out. The last thing you want on a really cold rainy day is to be sitting bundled up in a freezing cold home waiting on a repair guy! Most of the time when your heater goes out it is because of something you could have prevented with a simple maintenance check. Your heater sits dormant all summer long and dust can build up, you forget to check filters in it, small animals can even get in and set up shop! Most HVAC companies offer affordable maintenance plans.
2) If you have a fireplace be sure that you have plenty of wood (or store bought manmade fire logs) to last you a few days, or even a couple of weeks. I live in Georgia and we've had our power out for as long as a week at a time before. You can use your fireplace to keep one room warm at least and also to cook if need be. Also be sure you have enough kindling and matches to get it going. Stuff the tubes from toilet paper and paper towels with dryer lint. Store the wood so that it stays dry. Last year we had plenty of wood, hidden beneath a fine sloppy layer of slush! Also, clean out your chimney. Creosote is a huge factor in house fires during colder weather.
3) Inspect all electric blankets and space heater. Make sure cords are not damaged. Check for wear and tear. Do NOT use them if there is any damage. Use them exactly how their directions say. Don't use space heaters on carpet and make sure nothing is within a 3 feet diameter of them. Never leave them on unattended. Another leading cause for house fires is improper use of space heaters and electric blankets.
4) Have your vehicles winterized! Check the antifreeze, check the tires, check your brakes and brake lines. Another thing to do for your car is to put a spare blanket or two in it. Lets face it, living in the south we do not have the know how or the funds to prepare our roads for "maybe" snow and ice. I hear a lot of northerners make fun of us down south but we just don't get enough to be able to salt the road in October and most of us don't have snow tires. (Besides y'all can't handle heat just like we can't handle the cold) As we saw last year, any snow in the south shuts us down! Many people were stranded on the interstate in their cars, kids were stuck either on buses or at school. I keep a case of water in my husband's car and 3 in my van. Throw a box of granola bars in your trunk. Keep a basic first aid kit in there too. My husband has a backpack with all of this in his car incase he's close enough to walk the rest of the way home.
5) Locate all your extra blankets and get them washed. You don't have to put them on beds yet but maybe fold them up under it. The last thing you want is to go get a blanket while the power is out and find that it stinks!
6) Make sure your flashlight batteries are good, put fresh oil in lamps and lanterns, make sure you have candles and matches where you can find them in the dark. Always use caution with anything burning!
7) Start stocking your pantry. Try to get a weeks worth of food saved up. Canned goods and dry goods that don't require too much to fix and eat. Keep a few comfort items on hand like candy bars, hot chocolate mix, or marshmallows and graham crackers to make smores! Trust me these things can make it more fun when you have kids! A fireplace or a candle is all you need. If you have a gas stove you are blessed, but if not don't worry you can always "grill out"! Having a week worth of food on hand keeps you from having to run out and get food while driving conditions are bad. The less likely you are to get into a wreck or stuck on the road. Make sure you have bottled water on hand too. When our power goes out so does the water plant in town. You will need this water to flush the toilets, drink, and personal hygiene. Also if your pipes freeze up you will have it on hand until they thaw out.
8) Stock up on board games and puzzle books for the kids and yourself so you don't go insane! Make sure your coats and gloves fit and get ready to have fun with your snow days!
Just because bad weather gets you stuck at home doesn't mean you have to let it be a bad time. Have fun build a snow man! Roast hotdogs and marshmallows! Bundle up and cuddle up! Have fun with it! Prepare yourselves now for it so if/when it happens you aren't running around trying to find things!
Love,
Mom
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