Winter ice storms have the potential to cause tree limbs to snap, sometimes entire trees will fall, hitting utility poles and bringing the utility lines down in the process. These kinds of storms can sometimes cause power failures that will keep people without power for days. Every home should have a winter safety and survival kit that is ready to help a family through a potential winter weather crisis.
Here is a look at some of the things you should have on hand as part of your winter safety kit.
*Battery Powered Lanterns and flashlights -
When the power goes out, you will be forced to rely on flash lights or other battery powered lanterns. These bigger lights will be particularly helpful when you need to get around the house. Make sure you have enough lanterns and flashlights that each member of the family can have one to get around by themselves.
*A stash of batteries -
You never know how long it may take before the utility companies can fix the problem. If the utility polls have fallen because trees toppled them over, there will be considerable danger because of the live wires and water. Keep a stock of batteries on hand so that you can power radios and lanterns or flashlights during the entire crisis.
*Medications -
If you take medications, always be sure that you refill the prescription before you run out. Make sure that anytime a dangerous storm is in the forecast that you have enough medication to last you for at least a week, if not two weeks.
*A cell phone and extra cell phone batteries -
A cell phone may be the only way you can communicate with other people or let your extended family know that you are safe. It will be the only way by which you can contact your insurance company, the utility company or anyone else. Because it won't be possible to recharge the battery, it is crucial that you have extra cell phone batteries on hand.
*A First Aid kit -
You should have a first aid kit on hand at all times. Keep Band-Aids, aspirin, antibiotic ointment, gauze, cotton, a thermometer, alcohol wipes, elastic bandages, butterfly bandages, cortisone cream, cold and cough medicine and any other supplies you deem necessary.
*Blankets and sleeping bags -
Blankets and sleeping bags will be essential because you may be without heat for quite some time. These blanket or sleeping bags may keep you warm throughout the day. The longer the power is out, the colder the house will likely get, and it may get downright uncomfortable.
*Water -
The general rule of thumb is that you need at least one gallon of water per person per day. Since you can't know for sure how long you will be without power, it's important that you have a lot of water on hand.
*Disposable dishes and utensils -
A power failure will prevent you from getting hot water, so you won't be able to wash dishes. Having disposable dishes and utensils will be essential. Make sure that you have a good stock of these things in case you have to go for more than several days without hot water.
*Non-perishable foods -
A power failure will mean that you won't be able to cook. Having canned goods or foods in jars or single serving packages will be your main food source. Anything that doesn't need to be refrigerator will work. Peanut butter, crackers, canned fruit, beans and canned meat are all appropriate.
You will want to make sure that you have plenty of bread, buns or other things. Have some apples on hand as well, because you can eat those without refrigeration. Kids may want to have some snack foods like chips or crackers, and these will also work.
*A battery powered weather radio and regular radio -
The weather radio will keep you advised of the conditions. It may also help you know when the power issues will be fixed. A regular radio can help you maintain some semblance of contact with the outside world. You can also hear local weather broadcasts and other local information.
*Hand sanitizer -
If you don't have access to adequate hot water, a hand sanitizer will allow you to wash your hands whenever necessary. If you have kids around, hand sanitizer will be the best way to ensure that the kids are keeping their hands cleaned.
*Garbage bags -
You will need to have plenty of garbage bags on hand so that you can dispose of cans, paper plates, utensils and other garbage. Garbage bags can also be used to cover things if necessary.
*Plenty of board games and cards -
People tend to get bad cases of cabin fever when they are housebound. You never know how long you will be housebound, so having games on hand will keep the entire family entertained. You never know, it may wind up feeling like a cool camping trip!
*Additional information -
Fill your bathtubs with water ahead of time. If it is not possible for you to flush your toilet, you can scoop the water from your bathtub up into a bucket and pour it down the toilet to help the toilet flush. You can also fill tall kitchen garbage cans with water and keep those in or near the bathroom.
You may want to have a stash of body wipes on hand. These are typically the thing that hospitals use for people who cannot get up to bathe or shower. It allows them to sponge themselves off enough to feel refreshed.
Make sure you have a stash of clean clothing on hand. Keep heavy sweaters, long underwear, heavy socks and other warm clothes with the rest of your clothes. You won't know how long it may be before you'll be able to do your laundry again.
Turn your power and gas off - especially if there is any possibility that you will have flooding. There is nothing more dangerous than electricity and water. If you have your gas on, but the gas isn't properly working, you could be letting carbon monoxide infiltrate your house. You might want to have a carbon monoxide and radon detector on hand. Make sure that they are battery powered so that they will work in a power failure.
It is critically important that you have your safety or survival kit assembled and ready to use well in advance. It will save you an incredible amount of grief and stress. There will always be people who wait until the last minute to get things, and when they do, they will discover that the stores sell out of everything from water to bread very fast.
A wise person will build their safety kit a little bit at a time. You can buy a few extra canned items when you go to the grocery store. Assemble a box that contains everything from your kit.
Before the storm, have members of the family gather their clothing and put it on a dresser or some place where it is easily accessible. Buy batteries ahead of time and make sure that you have a good stock pile. Make sure that everyone has long underwear, sock liners and anything else you might need to stay warm.
By preparing in advance, you can avoid a lot of grief and stress, and you will always have the satisfaction of knowing that you didn't forget to put something in the kit or overlook something else. Make sure you have all of your important phone numbers in an easily accessible place. It may be hard to enjoy the ramifications of a winter storm that leaves you without power for days or weeks, but you will be better equipped to deal with the situation if you plan and prepare for it long in advance.