Don’t be duped by this year’s warm fall. This winter’s forecast is going to be cold and wet and you should be prepared. An Accuweather report on this winter predicts bitter cold and a snow-buried Rockies. That’s great news for skiers, and it’s a welcomed forecast for our thirsty croplands, but it should be a warning to be prepared.
A Winter-Safe House
You would think your home is shelter enough. But what if your power goes out due to an ice or snowstorm? If you have a fireplace and dry wood, you’re better off already. Even so, if you have an electric stove, you won’t be able to warm up food and warm food is the best means to keeping your inner body core heated. Keep canned foods and extra jugs of water stored, as well as dry goods like oatmeal and dry fruits and nuts. Check your batteries in all flashlights and be sure to stow away some candles with matches just in case. A good suggestion is to place matches in a plastic Ziplock bag to keep them dry. You should also add extra cell phone batteries in the bag. If a felled tree damages your roof, isolate yourself in one room, covering all the windows blocking off the bottom of the door to keep the warm air in.
The difference between surviving or not comes with a simple scout’s motto: Be Prepared. Now is the time to check your batteries and flashlights, buy extra batteries, get propane containers and check camping stoves. At home you have the luxury of having extra towels and blankets throughout the house, but what about your car?
Car Safety Tips in the Cold
You should always have a first aid kit available in your car summer or winter. But in addition to that, you should keep a sleeping bag and blankets along with some basic camping gear such as matches. Military Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) are a great way to keep imperishable foods in your car. If you should get stranded or have an accident while driving in the mountains, MREs are perfect.
A small camping stove could easily be the difference between survival or not. The main thing is to stay warm and dry. But mountain conditions can become extreme very quickly. Stay in your car. Your car is your shelter. As long as you have your equipment and you stay dry, you can survive for days and that could mean the difference between going home alive. Make sure you have several, full propane canisters and a camping stove. Not only can you use the stove to cook a warm meal, but also to melt snow for water.
A car cover is also a great means to up your chances of survival. Paint or stitch a bright X on the top, inside part of the car cover. Should you find yourself stranded, placing the car cover with the X out gives rescuers something to see in the blanket of white snow and covering the car keeps the cold wind out and the warm air in.
Women should be especially prepared for the cold. A UC Berkeley study reports that women make up two-thirds of the deaths after a cold spell.
Don’t forget your folks
The elderly and the infirm are most susceptible to cold weather. So once you’ve fulfilled your own home and car safety, make sure you’re elderly family members and neighbors are also safe and ready for any winter mishaps.
The New Era Group hopes you have a warm and safe winter this cold season.
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