Winter Storm
January 2016
Before you head out!
With high winds predicted for this weekend's storm, a power outage is likely.
Winter storm best practices
- Shop ahead and make sure you have enough food to get you through Monday. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to stock up on just bread and milk — go ahead and get whatever you normally shop for. Get quick and easy things like peanut butter and jelly, or non-perishables like soup so that they won’t spoil if you don’t get through them this weekend. And don’t forget the pet food!
- Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning! “Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area,” says ready.gov. “Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. Keep these devices at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents.”
- Make sure you have enough of your prescription drugs to last through the weekend.
- If you MUST drive, do so during the day, and don’t drive alone. Don’t take the back roads which will be untreated. Try to stay on main roads that road crews frequently plow.
- Make sure you have flashlights and the correct batteries for the flashlights in case the power goes out. Test your flashlights tonight or tomorrow so you know if you need to run out and get more.
- Get any supplies out of the attic and the basement before the storm starts so you don’t have to navigate if the power goes out.
- Gas up and power on the snow blower before the storm hits, just to make sure it’s working properly. Let it idle for about 20 minutes, turn it off, then move it to the front of the garage/shed. If it’s needed the next day in the snow, it fires up quickly and is ready to go.
- Pre-treat driveways and walkways, which will make shoveling easier when the time comes. Shovel periodically through the storm instead of waiting until the end, which will be back-breaking work.
- If your neighborhood tends to lose power in these situations, it may be a good idea to stock up propane for your gas grill so you can still cook.
- DO NOT leave your pets outside. Doing so would be cruel and would in all likelihood lead to their death.
- Remember your elderly family members and neighbors. Make sure they have enough supplies to last the weekend if they are staying home by themselves. If possible, consider having them stay with you.
Tech Guy
Email: melson@sapublicschools.com
Website: tech.sapublicschools.com
Phone: 732.387.3559
Twitter: @mjelson