While we are just now transitioning from warmer days to crisper nights and early mornings, you can still feel Fall in the air. With the feelings of Fall comes knowing that Winter is right around the corner. For many, Winter and snowy weather can bring on a sense of dread if you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, but if you don’t – it can be a magical and exciting time of year. While Texas experienced a rude awakening with just how quickly things can get out of hand when you’re not prepared for Winter weather on a state level, it’s essential that you do everything in your power to make sure that you and your family are, in fact, well prepared.
Luck indeed does favor the prepared, and if you have a list and check it twice, you will fare better than others that have not looked ahead to ensure the comfort and safety of their loved ones. So let’s take a look at what we can control when it comes to winter weather and how to handle it.
The Things You Rely On Daily
Make sure that you have at least a month’s supply of things that you use daily on hand. The likelihood that you would be “snowed in” or unable to leave due to an ice storm for more than five to seven days is improbable, but having a good stockpile never hurt anyone. So any medications that you or anyone in your family (household) rely on daily, make sure you have automatic refills with your pharmacy, so you always have at least a month on hand.
Additionally, this list would include things like water, over-the-counter medications or supplements, toiletries, etc. It would help if you also had plenty of food on hand that is non-perishable as you head into the Winter season. You never know when you’ll get bad weather. Well, you’ll likely get several days’ warning, but if a bad storm approaches, you may find store shelves barren, especially as we’re facing increasing supply chain shortages. So, stock up now, and set aside reserved essentials in a designated emergency box.
Fun Times For All
The power going out might have been somewhat fun for you and your siblings when you were growing up. These days, it’s not just the kids that have become used to having electricity-powered entertainment. If your power goes out, your children won’t have their Youtube to watch, and you’ll be unable to binge Netflix or HGTV. So, making sure you have some fun games and puzzles for everyone to enjoy the old-fashioned way is a great idea. Be prepared with flashlights, battery-powered lamps, and plenty of candles, though – and don’t forget to practice safety measures when using candles as a light source. Also, make sure you have a radio or other way to stay up on school closings and delays for your children.
If you’re a childfree couple, you could make sure you have some things on hand to make sure you and your partner get the most out of a potential power outage as well, like men’s sex toys or something similar. Just make sure you’ve got plenty of items to pass the time enjoyably.
Emergency Kits
While everything already mentioned above could fall into the category of “emergency kits,” you also need a basic First Aid Kit in your home – you really should have one year-round. Make sure you’ve got a functional fire extinguisher, as well as accidents, which can happen easily when you’re using a fireplace or candles during inclement winter weather. Just make sure you’ve got all the supplies on hand to triage any accidents until emergency responders arrive. The likelihood of needing it is slim, but the peace of mind an emergency kit brings is priceless.
Winter weather is a given unless you live in a tropical environment. As we said initially, even Texas was gravely impacted last year. So while you are going to enjoy the holidays and most of the year is magical, you never know when you may need to utilize any of the items mentioned above. Happy holidays and here’s to a safe and healthy new year!
