Snow Storms

The snow sure took its time getting here this year.  Here are few things to remember if you have to drive or if you are at home.

Car:  My second Blog post has many things to remember when putting a pack
          together for your car.
          Here are a few more things to think about.

1. Having a full tank of gas will help when you are stuck in traffic on those icy roads. Extra Water, oil, transmission fluid, steering fluid, and especially Antifreeze are needed with you always.  
2. Make sure you have some kind of food with you.  Energy bars, Granola bars, Candy bars, Beef jerky, Dried fruit, etc.or whatever you like that will keep your energy up.
3. I like having a thermos of Hot Coco or Coffee on day trips and snowy drives.  It will help keep you warm. But having water bottles with you is always the best thing.
4. Make sure you have warm clothes. An extra sweet shirt, blank or sleeping bag, gloves that you can drive with and a thicker water poof pair in case you have to be in the snow.  Don't forget you knit or other warm hat, a scarf comes works well to keep your ears warm also.
5. If you do get stuck in traffic or slide off to the shoulder make sure  you have a cell phone charger in your car.  Let your family know as often as you can by text or call where you are.
6. Be aware of your area, mile markers, street signs and exits you may be close to you, stores your around, etc.
7. Don't forget your snow chains or cables if the snow or ice are too bad.

Home:  When you are home things can become complicated too!
             The weather can make that warm  house an ice box during a power outage.
             What would you do if your power did go out?

1. You should double check your pipes. The wind will make things colder so making sure your pipes are completely winterized will save you a cold wet trip under the house later.
2. Make sure you have a heat source that won't cause your family harm.  Fireplaces, wood stove, pellet stove are all great for keeping the house warm and cooking on if necessary.  Generators are great to have in a jam also (if available).
3. Are your extra blankets easy to get to? How about extra sweaters, jackets, gloves, knit or warm hats, scarves, don't forget extra socks or slippers.
4. Do you know someone that you can stay with with a good heat source if the power is out for more then a day or two?
5. Having a camp stove or BBQ to cook with is great for power outages, but remember they need to be properly ventilated, and a closed up house is NOT a good place to use them.
6. Do you know where your candles, oil lamps, lanterns (battery operated or hand cranked), flashlights (battery operated or hand cranked).  Make sure they are easy to get to also.
7. Do you have a emergency radio (battery operated or hand cranked) with the weather channel on it? Having one of these radios can help know how long the weather will last or if there is other information you area is needs you to know.        

REMINDER: Using BBQ's, camp stoves, lanterns, and heaters that use Propane or Coal can cause CO2 poisoning, if they are Not used in a WELL VENTILATED area. A closed up house or garage IS NOT ventilated enough even if the doors are open, when using a generator or any of the above items.  Please be safe while staying warm!!