Preparing For a Winter Storm

It snowed this weekend. This is almost unheard of where I live. We are lucky if we see a few days of snow in January,

But November 3rd? Crazy!

As the days grow shorter and colder, now is the time to start thinking about prepping for winter. The Farmer’s Almanac claims this will be an especially brutal winter North America. UK Meteorologists hold high confidence that this winter will arrive earlier, and be colder and snowier than the last. It seems the entire Northern hemisphere is expected to be more frigid and wet. Crazy winter weather has a way of causing power outages, tough if not impossible driving situations, and other hardships that would be counterintuitive to running to the food mart for a stick of butter.

Now is the time to evaluate your current preps. And by all means, if you haven’t started prepping, now might be the time to reconsider, as the cold will be upon us faster than we think.

72 Hour Kit

At the very least you should have enough basics stashed away to survive at least three days. A box of untouched food and supplies for each member of your household with nonperishable food, water, medical supplies, and entertainment- face it, when people are bored they can tend to eat, and you don’t want your five year old raiding the Bug Out Bag before dawn and helping himself to all the MRE’s. Three each of breakfasts, lunches and dinners, along with “comfort food” and snacks. Chewing gum, hard candies, and trail mixes are good items for the “munchies.” Instant coffee, chicken bullion, tea’s and Tang are great items to keep, also. Keep in mind to have enough prescription medications stored in case of a prolonged power outage or natural disaster.

Items To Store in each 72-hour kit

3 days worth of food
Wrench to turn off utilities
Snow shovel to dig out if snowed in
At least one gallon of water per day per person and pet (more for personal hygiene) Although it is very wise to store as much water as you can, because dehydration will kill you faster than starvation.
“comfort” snacks and beverages
First aid and medications
Diapers, wipes, formula and the likes if you have youngsters
Personal hygiene: toothpaste and toothbrush, lotion, deodorant (just because you haven’t showered in three days, doesn’t mean you should smell like it)
Chapstick
Dish soap, spork, bowl, mug, and cook pot
Hand sanitizer
Manual Can opener
Trash bags
Flashlight with extra batteries
Wind up NOAA radio. You can stay abreast of the weather in a power outage, and if you get the kind with USB attachments, you can charge your smartphone and MP3 player.
Emergency thermal blanket
Duct tape
Sturdy pocketknife
Axe
Candles
Waterproof matches and Bic lighter. I like Bic because I have found many of them in my wash after a full cycle, and I just let them dry out for an hour or so and they light every time.
If you have pets, pack a kit for each of them, including enough food, medications if needed, and water, along with spill proof bowls.
Changes of warm clothing-stay away from cotton, aka “Death Cloth” Cotton does not dry quickly which could lead to hypothermia in frigid winter weather.
Poncho
Warm gloves or mittens
A few extra wool socks besides the three day supply. If you have to go outside to feed the horses or fetch some wood, your feet may become soaked. You will be thankful for the extras!
Warm hat
Pencil and paper
Books
Dice and playing cards
Toilet paper
Denatured Alcohol cookstove or Steno

Keep in mind this is mainly a bug in, power outage supply list. You will need additional supplies for an emergency bug out situation, such as extra gasoline, map of alternate routes from your home, and extra blankets and wood- just in case.

Prepping for winter is pretty easy if you have a plan and your household is properly instructed.

Always keep aware of storm fronts heading your way, and ALWAYS trust your instincts.

Don't forget your four legged friends when prepping for emergencies!

Images via Pixabay
Sources: FEMA, Weather.gov