Winter Storm Tips: Preparing and Surviving

Frigid cold is sweeping across the nation, and in some areas the cold weather, snow and freezing rain are so bad that people simply cannot leave their homes. And from the looks of things, the storm is only going to get worse. Whether it is this polar vortex, Hercules, Ion, or something else, this extreme weather brings to light the importance of being properly prepared for any situation. It might be more bad weather, it might be a natural disaster, it might just be a spate of personal financial trouble. Whatever it is, every so often we stumble upon times when we are forced to hunker down and wait out a storm, perhaps unable to even leave our homes. It is important to be prepared for such situations, and there are certain measures that, in extreme cases, could be the difference between life and death.

Travel

If there is an arctic storm about to hit your city, sorting out your travel plans might just be the least of your problems. However, it is travel season, and if you are planning on a vacation this winter, you may have to rearrange some things in order for it to go smoothly. The cold weather has caused disruption to many of the major airlines with delays and cancellations across the board. To save yourself a travel nightmare, it is important to plan ahead. Check weather reports for your destination as well as any potential delays. If you have a flight which you think might be cancelled, try to change it around so that you can still go on your trip. If there are other airports that are close to your destination, try to change your flight and get the train or bus if necessary. As a last resort, consider rescheduling your trip.

At Home

If you are struck by a blizzard or even just extreme cold, you may not be able to leave your house. If you find yourself in such a situation, you will be grateful for having made some preparations in advance. One of the most important things that you can do is to create an emergency food supply. Store enough nonperishable food items, along with plenty of water, in your home for about a week for each person in your house (not forgetting pets). Just because it is going to be stored for a long time does not mean that you have to store food items that are bland and unappetizing. Go through your regular meal menu and take note of the different things that you eat and could easily store.

Driving and Car Tips

When winter weather strikes, driving is one of the main causes of severe accidents or fatalities. Consider taking a course on safe winter driving, and prepare your car for extreme weather. At the very least, you will need to get your fluids checked and replace the windshield wipers. However, you might also consider getting snow tires and having your car checked by a mechanic. For all of your preparations and safe driving, however, you cannot rely upon other drivers to take the same amount of care. As a result, it is recommended that you cut out all non-essential journeys. Of course, if you are stuck inside your house, this won’t be a problem!