Winter storms

Although our winters are relatively mild, storms and cold temperatures still happen. Here are some ways to be ready.

Battery-operated flashlights: You can’t count on having electricity. After the December 12^th 1995 storm, some areas did not get power back for two weeks.

Emergency survival blankets: Regular blankets are good too, but emergency survival blankets efficiently preserve your body heat, are lightweight, and don’t take up much space. They can work at home, but they may be even better tucked away in a coat pocket, glove box, or desk at work. Consider stocking up and stashing them in key locations.

Carbon monoxide detector: If the heat and power are off, people may try other methods of cooking and heating. Some of them are fire hazards (candles for light can also fall under this), but some are also asphyxiation hazards. If it is designed for outdoor or camping use, chances are good that you should not use it indoors. Even if you use all items only as directed, you will be running the heat more, windows will be closed, ventilation can get blocked, and a carbon monoxide detector can save your life.

A first aid kit: Slippery sidewalks can result in sprains, scrapes, or bruises; clearing snow can result in muscle strain; and any received injuries can be worse if the roads are in bad condition. Supplies can include pain relievers, antibiotic ointment, bandages, gauze and medical tape, and warm and cold packs.

It is also important to know when it would be worth braving the roads or calling an ambulance. Bone breaks should be set professionally, so those rate a trip. Chest pains or possible stroke symptoms at least rate the 9-1-1 call, because the operator can help you assess the risks.

Take falls seriously, pausing to make sure that everything feels right before getting up. If there is a head injury, whether from a fall or some other cause, watch for signs of concussion, bleeding, or swelling. Keep an eye out for lethargy, trouble focusing, feeling foggy, nausea, or lapses in consciousness, and if you see these issues, make that call. Better safe than sorry.

Plenty of drinking water: Pipes can freeze or flooding can contaminate water. Having water is good, but so is prevention. For freezing, this can include leaving a trickle of water running, leaving cupboards and doors open so that pipes get more heat, and maybe even wrapping pipes or covering spigots. If your pipes do freeze, let them thaw on their own. Creative ways of warming the pipes tend to go badly

There is not a lot you can do to prevent flooding contamination, but as a good citizen you should keep an eye out for clogged storm drains. Also, keep an eye on the news so you at least know what’s likely. A battery-operated radio is probably a good idea as well.

If we do run into poor road conditions, getting out to buy groceries may be difficult. Sure, some places keep delivering pizza, even in the worst conditions, but if they lose power they may not be able to cook it.

Ultimately, even if you are not ready to get in your three-month supply of food, you should always have some extra, ideally including some that does not require cooking. A 72-hour kit perhaps?

Finally, imagine a storm where you still have power but can’t leave the house. All of the local television stations will switch to 24-hour snow coverage, even though nothing happens. If we lose power you don’t even have that. Have a backup plan for amusement—books, games, crafts—and if you need extra lanterns or yarn or a pencil sharpener to make it work, get ready for that now. Sanity is a great thing to keep in an emergency.