Prepare Your Home for a Winter Emergency

In 1993 a powerful blizzard swept through the Eastern United States, including areas that rarely enjoyed the appearance of a few snowflakes.

Although such disasters may not repeat themselves for another century, past years have taught us that, independently of where we live, natural events of great magnitude may strike at any moment.

With winter fast approaching, the best defense against its forces is preparedness.

Danon Lucas, with FEMA Region IV, External Affairs Office, expressed the following during an interview: "Historically, winter weather can result in heavy snowfall and extreme cold. It's important to remember that even areas that normally experience mild winters can be hit with a major snowstorm or extreme cold. Winter storms can also result in freezing rain and flooding as well."

Lucas continues: "It is important to be prepared for winter weather before it strikes. To be ready for any disaster..., it is very important for families and individuals to do three things: 1) Get a Kit 2) Make a Plan and 3) Be Informed."

In spite of past experiences, and the call to follow the three steps outlined by Lucas, and echoed by the Red Cross and the Ready campaign, data gathered is alarming. In an interview with Becky Marquis, Acting Director, Ready Campaign, these numbers emerged: only 56 percent of Americans put together an emergency kit in 2009 and only 39 percent created a family emergency plan. Marquis added that, although progress was made compared to past years, "there is still a lot of work to be done to get the country prepared for emergencies."

To set up the home for possible winter emergencies, Marquis suggested consulting the official FEMA website detailing 9 steps for winter storm preparation. The suggestions included are:
1. Add rock salt, sand, and snow shovels to the disaster supplies kit.
2. Prepare for possible isolation in your home.
3. Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply.
4. Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter.
5. Insulate pipes... and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing.
6. Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).
7. Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.
8. Know ahead of time what you should do to help elderly or disabled friends, neighbors or employees.
9. Hire a contractor to check the structural ability of the roof.

For a complete explanation of each point, please refer to the FEMA website

Now that home preparedness has been addressed, the following tips, from Provident Living, will help the occupants be ready, should a winter emergency strike.

Food Storage
Build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet. One way to do this is to purchase a few extra items each week to build a one-week supply of food. ... These items should be rotated regularly to avoid spoilage.

Many items purchased from regular food stores have a short shelf life; however, many companies have emerged in the last few years specializing in food storage items that have a shelf life from 5 to 20 years. Among them are: Emergency Essentials and Pleasant Hill Grains.

Add to your selection sweets, such as hard candy, candy bars, or ready made small cakes. They can help soothe a child when scared.

Don't forget to plan for your pet(s) as well. Although in an emergency pets can survive on regular food, having their own kind of food will not only be healthier for them, but it will make your supplies last longer.

Alternate cooking source.
What good will your food supply be if you will not be able to prepare it? Make sure you have a portable cooking stove (such as the ones used when camping) to use if your regular range is out of commission.

Drinking Water
Store drinking water for circumstances in which the water supply may be polluted or disrupted... Consider using plastic bottles commonly used for juices and soft drinks for such storage.
Keep water containers away from heat sources and direct sunlight.

Have on hand powdered drink mixes to flavor the water. This is especially helpful if children are in the house.

Emergency Communications
During an emergency, normal means of communication may become inoperable. Communication needs and plans should be addressed ...in order to prepare family members stay in touch when the need arises.

Cell phone companies might and might not be operational. Make sure you have a way to charge your cell phone, in the event coverage has not been lost; however, make it your mission to find out if there are any radio amateurs in your immediate vicinity you can easily reach if no other means of communication are available.

Financial Reserve
Establish a financial reserve by saving a little money each week and gradually increasing it to a reasonable amount.

During an emergency, there is a possibility that banks may be closed, and bank machines may be inoperable. It is advisable to have a reasonable amount of cash on hand to purchase needed items during and immediately after the emergency.

Last, but not least, don't forget to have a supply of hygiene items and medicines regularly used by your family. Have a list of all medications used, doctors visited, and any other medical emergency information that might be needed.