Storm Prep - What did I leave out

What is the skill - Get ready for a big storm.

Why is it a Life Skill - Better safe than sorry! The more you can anticipate and prepare for storm related disruptions, the better you'll weather them.

Hey folks, I'm new to snow (transplanted from California 2 years ago) and getting ready for my first big storm. I've collected a lot of what seems to be good ideas, LMK if I'm missing anything!

Supplies:

- Have what you need to weather the storm, and to weather the shortages after until the supply chain catches up. Stock up on medication, groceries, water, pet food, propane for outdoor grills, stoves, cash.

- Check on stores of paper plates, flashlights, batteries, candles, ice melt. Check your fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors,

General Preparations:

- Do laundry (especially towels), take a shower, fill the bath tub and have buckets next to it (for flushing).

Entertainment:

- Dig out some games, puzzles, and paperbacks. Download some videos, e-books, and podcasts.

Heat:

- Cover the windows: pull the blinds, drapes, curtains, add blankets if needed. Layer up: wear lots of layers, wear a hat even indoors. Have a camp stove and diesel or propane heater ready (unless you have a wood stove, in which case bring in a ton of wood.)

- Bedding: Put an extra sheet on top of the blankets - the tight weave keeps more warm air in. Consider making a blanket fort (especially for kids beds).

- Protect your outdoor animals, have and use a storm wrap for kennels and coops.

- For extended outages: a tent indoors with blankets on top is easiest to keep warm. Otherwise, consider heating and living in a single room.

Cars:

- Fill the tank. Have camping gear, kitty litter, a shovel, a chainsaw (with extra chain oil, chain, and power) if you have to go out. Don't go out unless it's an emergency.

- Parking: if you're on a slope, brick the wheels. If you're parked outdoors, consider leaving it unlocked so you can get in if the locks freeze. If you have a driveway, park near the end, so you have to shovel less to get out in an emergency. Get off the street if you can to get out of the way of the snowplows. Park away from power poles and trees.

Communication:

- Charge all your stuff, including your back up batteries. If your phone runs dead, remember you can charge it in your car.

- Make sure your family and friends, and work know you may be hard to reach, and that you're ready to hunker down so they don't worry (as much). Then send the all clear early and often when you have communications. Stay home from work or school, don't go out except for emergencies.

- Check on your neighbors before, during, and after.