Winter Weather Emergency Kit Planning

With winter just around the corner you will want to be prepared for any winter emergencies with a few simple tips. You will want to make sure you have an winter weather emergency kit in your house and in your vehicle in-case there is a big snow storm that knocks out the electricity or makes it impossible to get out anywhere to buy supplies. Lets start with your winter weather emergency kit for your house, you will need a place to store these items I would suggest a big Rubber maid container with a lid.

You will want to have flashlights and lots of batteries, a battery powered radio, lots of heavy blankets, matches, and manual can opener, and a first-aid kit. You will also want to have a few days of non-perishable foods handy in your winter weather emergency kit. This could include tuna, spam, crackers, etc. Keep some gallon jugs full of water and any items you will need for children or the elderly. These could include medicines, diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, and any other supplies you might need if you were unable to leave the house for a few days due to the winter weather. You might also consider getting some alternative heat sources such as a kerosene heater or wood burner. Make sure you keep a fire extinguisher around when using alternative heaters.

There are also generators that can be purchased at your local home improvement store to provide some power to your house if the electric goes out. This might be enough power to keep the stove or the refrigerator running depending on the size generator you get. You can also keep a box of activities for the children in your winter weather emergency kit such as coloring books and crayons, puzzles, board games and so on, this will help to keep them busy. You will also want to keep rock salt handy to melt the snow on the sidewalks around your house. If you are going to shovel the snow make sure to use safety precautions such as dressing warm, keeping your mouth covered to protect your lungs, and not working to hard. There are hundreds of deaths and injuries each year due to shoveling snow.

Next we will discuss what items to keep in your car winter weather emergency kit in-case you should become stranded due to a winter storm. You will want to keep these items in some type of container so they are easy to access when you need them. Some of the items you will need in your winter weather emergency kit are a flashlight with extra batteries, a battery powered radio to hear the weather forecast or any emergency announcements, some heavy blankets, some extra gloves and hat, heavy sweatshirts and socks, a ice scraper for the windshield, small snow shovel, and kitty litter. This can be used for added traction in the snow. You also will want to keep some snack foods in the winter weather emergency kit. You will need some road flares and brightly colored flags or cloth to hang on the car to notify anyone passing by you are in need of help. Only turn the car on for ten minutes every hour to save the battery.

Don't turn on the car lights unless the car is running. If the snow is still falling make sure to clear it from the exhaust pipe to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure to check the supplies in your winter weather emergency kit's a few times through out the cold weather season. Also whenever snow is expected make sure to tell someone where you are going and which way you'll be taking, this will help to locate you if you don't return in the expected time period. Always make sure you keep your cell phone batteries charged so you can call for help and make sure to have some jumper cables in the car in-case the battery goes dead. Stay in the car as much as possible; don't try to walk for help unless its close by and you know where you are going. By planning ahead and keeping your winter weather emergency kit stocked you will be prepared for any winter weather that comes your way.