Our blogging buddy Paul Hinrichs is working in challenging conditions, being located in North Carolina.  NC was socked this week with a particularly nasty winter storm; many people have been without power for more than a day.  Poor Paul!  He’s up to the challenge, he reports he’s been heating food over candles, stopping in at the office to thaw out and recharge his laptop.  (Paul’s blog updates might be a bit slow for a few more days…let’s hope he gets power back soon!)

 

Based on predictions of continuing El Nino weather patterns for the rest of the winter, this isn’t the last time folks south of Ohio will be subjected to weather normally reserved for those of us in the Great White North.  Those of you along the path of this past week’s winter storm could be in Paul’s position yet again this season.

 

Guess that means it’s time to haul out the Snow Emergency Preparedness Plan for those of you who’ve not yet been blessed with a mother-of-all-winter-storms this year.

 

First off, don’t get caught off guard – stock up on essentials when the weather is good.  Looking for supplies during a winter storm is an invitation for trouble.  (Same goes for any other emergency.)

 

Winter storms frequently catch us away from home.  For this reason I’m always careful to have a winter weather kit in my car.  Besides, there’s always the chance I could have a road side emergency (flat tire, engine failure, accident, what have you); being stuck for hours in the cold here while waiting for a tow truck isn’t fun and can be dangerous if you’re not prepared.

 

Here’s what’s in my car kit:

 

§         A battery-powered radio and flashlight (year-round item)

§         At least one blanket (more is better)

§         Booster cables

§         Cereal bars or other wrapped food *

§         Candles and matches

§         Coffee can with lid

§         First aid kit (should be in your car all year)

§         Bottled water (another item good to have all year)

§         Traction device **

§         Shovel

§         Signal devices ***

§         Maps of surrounding area and state

 

* I keep snack stuff in the car at all times since my kids are likely to be with me and insist on fast food if I don’t keep “kid kibble” handy.  The right foods for emergencies are typically ones that are good for kids – granola bars, crackers (like the ones with peanut butter or cheese), trail mix.

 

** You can use kitty litter, rock salt or sand, but I find a plain old rag rug works wonders.  Lay the rug in front of the offending tire which is not getting sufficient traction, keep away from behind that tire, and give the car some gas.  Works every time, and the rug helps me protect my vehicle if the kids have messy boots or I need to pick up some sloppy cargo.  Just stay clear when using a rag rug for traction once you put it into place – the rug will frequently go shooting out from under the tire as it gets traction.

 

*** Keep more than one signal device in the car, like a combination of a flashlight with emergency flasher, some road flares, a red ribbon or bandanna for the antenna, etc.

 

Note: Keep the candles and matches inside the coffee can so that the matches and wicks are always dry and ready to go.  The can serves two purposes – with a lit candle placed inside, the can acts as a small heater (be careful not to knock it over and crack car windows if you’re using it inside a vehicle, of course), and can also be used to thaw snow for water.  (DON’T eat snow if you’re thirsty, it’ll lower your body’s core temperature.  Melt the snow and drink it.)

 

Extra batteries would be helpful.  Imagine being stuck in a snowbank for 24 hours; what would it take to keep you safe and get you out?  More than one set of batteries, I’d bet.

 

The following are sometimes suggested by experts as something to keep in your emergency car kit – their uses are pretty self-explanatory:

 

§         Newspapers, cards, games

§         Plastic bags (always handy with messy kids and litter)

§         Pocket knife, handsaw or hatchet/axe

§         Extra clothes/boots

 

Check out FEMA’s suggestions, as well as those of the American Red Cross.  The Red Cross has highly detailed information and plans for Winter Emergency Preparedness; I recommend them highly.

 

For goodness’ sake, get your car winterized if you’ve been putting it off.  And make it a habit to let people know what your travel plans are if you absolutely must travel in a storm.

 

Hate to think we couldn’t find you in time for the next blog update.

  12:47:05 PM    comment []