When you are surrounded by snow, turning your yard into an ice rink, it can be a panic inducing moment, thus you need to be prepared for when it may happen again. The forecast for the rest of this winter hints yet more snow may soon arrive! So here is a small checklist to ensure you are safe and warm.

Preparations:

To start, make sure you drip your faucets overnight when it is expected to be severely cold, especially with snow. Doing so prevents the water from freezing in your pipes, causing them to burst

Additionally, you need to ensure you own a generator; if not you should consider investing in one. If you would like a recommendation for where to look for one, check out Land & Coates, and with any luck they may have some small generators in stock. Generally speaking, plug in your fridge, and a space heater first, then consider televisions and the sort. The fridge is a priority to prevent food spoiling.

Next, if your water runs off a well, without power your toilets won’t refill after a flush, and your sinks will only let out a little water, thus you should fill your bath tubs, and multiple buckets with water. 

Finally, you need to have lots of heavy blankets and clothes that will stave off the cold in the event you lack heat.

During the snowfall

If you own ice melt, place it on your porches, however if not, do NOT shovel the snow until after everything is done, doing so could lead to a big sheet of ice to build up that is a pain to break.

If you own a snowblower only use it AFTER the snow has completely fallen

If you own chickens, do not fret they are very hardy animals, as long as you have let them acclimate to the cold they will do just fine, just don’t let them out until the snow has stopped falling.

Be safe, and stay stocked up, please.