Preparedness - Winter time at home

Oklahoma is known for a variety of weather in all seasons. One constant is we often have extreme weather: extreme heat in the summer, extreme cold in the winter, tornadoes, ice storms.

A couple of years ago we had a major ice storm that left much of the city without power. I was without electricity for three days. I know people who were without electrical service for over a week. Needless to say, the demand for hotel rooms was greater than the supply. I didn't really mind because I was prepared.

Can you handle a situation like this? Let's look at some critical factors:

Heat

Even if your heat is a natural gas furnace, your blower is electric. Loss of electrical power means loss of heat.[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Dress in layers[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Gloves or mittens[/*:m:85ye7yza]
A good cap. The majority of body heat loss is via your noggin. Cover it up.[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Extra blankets, sleeping bags[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Fireplace.
- If you have one, make sure it's been serviced recently [/*:m:85ye7yza]
- Know how to build a proper fire. [/*:m:85ye7yza]
- Ensure you have the means to start a fire. Matches, kindling, etc. You aren't going to put a match under a huge log and have it catch. Fire has to grow and mature, so make sure you have the right materials on-hand.[/*:m:85ye7yza]
- In a survival situation in the wilderness, when you think you have enough wood to last through the night, double it. You will burn more wood than you think, so plan ahead. Same rule applies for suburbia. [/*:m:85ye7yza]
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Water

Water delivery may be affected if storm duration is long enough.[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Leave faucets dripping; running water is more difficult to freeze. Frozen pipes are no fun.[/*:m:85ye7yza]
If your hot water tank is electric, loss of electric power means loss of hot water. You'll have to warm water by another means, so factor that in.[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Disconnect water hoses outside and cover faucets to help prevent freezing.[/*:m:85ye7yza]

Food

Ensure you have plenty of food on-hand BEFORE the storm arrives. You should have at least a 3-day supply of food set aside just for emergencies, rotated regularly. Buy food you like.[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Don't forget about your pets[/*:m:85ye7yza]
An old-fashioned manual can opener is a must have backup. Loss of electrical power means no working electrical can openers. The old military P-38 can openers are small & cheap. Many models of multitool (Swiss Army Knife, Gerber, etc.) have can opener functions. I've used a sterilized screwdriver and a hammer before. [/*:m:85ye7yza]
Keep refrigerator & freeze doors closed to trap cold air[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Monitor temperature of refrigerator & freezer to ensure food stays below 40 degrees F[/*:m:85ye7yza]
A full refrigerator remains colder longer than a half-full or empty one. You can use bottled water to provide an additional thermal mass. Cheap & easy.[/*:m:85ye7yza]
With a loss of electricity, make certain you have means to cook.
- Natural gas stove and/or oven[/*:m:85ye7yza]
- Charcoal grill, used outside[/*:m:85ye7yza]
- Gas or propane grill, used outside[/*:m:85ye7yza]
- Camping stove, either propane or Coleman fuel, used outside[/*:m:85ye7yza]
- Never use any of these devices indoors. Carbon Monoxide is odorless, tasteless and can kill.[/*:m:85ye7yza]
- Whichever method(s) you choose, make sure you have more fuel than you think you need. Some tasks, such as heating water will deplete your fuel stores quicker.[/*:m:85ye7yza]
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Light

Candles -- Try using candles to determine how many you will need to provide adequate working light.[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Flashlights -- I change batteries when I change them in my smoke alarm, during the daylight savings time updates[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Spare Batteries[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Lanterns -- Coleman fuel, propane, kerosene[/*:m:85ye7yza]

Entertainment

Have something to pass the time. With no electricity, there's no TV or DVD.[/*:m:85ye7yza]
If you have children, make sure to factor things in[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Card games[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Board games[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Books[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Puzzles[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Story telling. It's rapidly becoming a lost art.[/*:m:85ye7yza]

Tools

Deicer for sidewalks; de-icer, rock salt, kitty litter[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Shovel for snow removal. Snow is useful for providing traction. Ice provides no traction.[/*:m:85ye7yza]
If you have trees that can block your driveway, a chainsaw should be a requirement. My neighbors found this out the hard way when a tree fell and blocked their driveway, preventing them from leaving. A 2-cycle gas chainsaw is the only way to go. Electric chainsaws are nice for quick, simple tasks but electrical service may be affected.[/*:m:85ye7yza]

Communications

When weather starts moving in, make sure your cell phone is fully charged[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Ice storms can affect land line communications, including traditional land line, cable company and VoIP (Voice over IP). Broken limbs can fall on communication & electrical lines. Loss of electrical power means loss of DSL or cable modem service, and thereby a loss of VoIP.[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Battery powered radio, with fresh batteries[/*:m:85ye7yza]

Travel

The first question you need to ask is, "Do I really have to go?" Don't travel if it isn't 100% necessary.[/*:m:85ye7yza]
Allow ample following distance.
- 2-seconds is the base following distance[/*:m:85ye7yza]
- Add at least one additional second for visibility, light, road conditions, weather conditions[/*:m:85ye7yza]
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Make sure your car is prepared -- See my other blog post[/*:m:85ye7yza]