Winter Storms: Prepare Home
Preparing for winter storms
As a winter storm approaches, the last thing you want is to be unprepared. These tips from the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension can help you and your family weather any storm.
- Pull out any battery-operated
lights and your battery-operated radio in case the storm
causes a power outage. Be sure to have fresh batteries on
hand to power them.
- Keep
on hand a good supply of candles, matches and at least one
kerosene or gas lantern with amply fuel.
- Turn your refrigerator
and freezer up to their highest settings, also in anticipation
of a power loss. Pack food in the smallest space you can
so it will insulate itself and stay cold longer.
- Get
a supply of dry ice to keep food cold and safe to eat for
longer periods of time if you
know the power will be off two or more days. (Don't
forget to reset your appliance controls after the threat
of power loss passes.)
- Fill large containers
with water for drinking. Power outages can leave well pumps
useless and your family without drinking water.
- Place
three days' worth of nonperishable, canned and ready-to-
eat foods for each family member in a safe place. Don't forget
a manually-operated can opener. Meal-in-a-can foods such as
stews, soups, canned meats, beans or spaghetti require little
heat for cooking and some can be eaten without cooking. Cereals,
breads, dried meats and cheeses are other "no cook" possibilities.
Freeze-dried meals used by campers and backpackers can be
prepared with a minimum of heat.
- Check your emergency
cooking source to be sure it's operable. Camp stoves or
fireplaces may be used for cook stoves in an emergency. Check
your supply of heating fuel or fire wood for heating.
- Make
certain you have a fire extinguisher available.
Electrical shorts or gas line breaks can easily cause fires.
In storm situations, fire fighters may be unable to reach
your home.
- Check your first aid kit. Make sure you have rubbing alcohol,
adhesive bandages, a blanket, antibacterial ointment or cream
and material to make a sling or tourniquet. Make certain
family members have enough of any prescribed medicines to
last them through the storm, too.
- Have a certified mechanic winterize your vehicle. And keep your fuel tank full to prevent water from getting into the tank and causing the engine to stall.
By following these tips, your family will be better prepared for what Mother Nature throws your way this winter.