Winter can be a beautiful time in Missouri, with blankets of glimmering white snow and brisk but mild temperatures. Sometimes, however, winter weather can take a turn for the worse. Winter storms can be severe and at times dangerous. The best way to ensure you and your family can get through a storm easily is to prepare for one in advance.
Have an emergency plan in place, and make sure everyone in your family knows it. This should include creating an emergency kit. One of the most dangerous aspects of severe winter storms is the possibility of a power outage. Your kit should include water, nonperishable food that does not require cooking, flashlights with spare batteries, a weather radio, blankets, and first aid supplies. Having an extra supply of prescription medications around during winter months is a good idea because severe weather may make travel difficult.
Stock up on alternative fuel sources for heating in case regular fuel sources become cut off or unusable. For example, have dry, seasoned wood on hand for use in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. Take necessary safety precautions when lighting any fires, and have a fire extinguisher on hand in case of emergencies.
Your home isn’t the only place where you should take extra precautions in the winter. A winter car kit can be a life saver in case of a breakdown during very cold or icy conditions. A kit should include an ice scraper, jumper cables, a flashlight, a weather radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, a distress flag, and sand for traction. Like a home emergency kit, you will want some nonperishable food and water. Temperatures can drop dangerously quickly in a car, especially at night, so have lots of things to help keep yourself warm, such as blankets, hats, mittens, and extra socks.
As you take precautions to keep yourself and your family safe this winter, take time to consider pets and wildlife. Make sure pets have adequate shelter. Even outside pets with well-built doghouses will need to be brought inside if the temperature drops too low or drops for multiple nights in a row. Wild animals have adapted and are able to take care of themselves and keep warm during the winter. However, they may try to take shelter in unusual places when temperatures get very low. Bang on a car’s hood before starting it during cold weather to scare away any cats or small wild animals that may have curled up under it for warmth. Also, antifreeze has a sweet taste to it, so clean up spills to prevent your pets or any wildlife from lapping up the puddles, which are poisonous and deadly.
Have an emergency plan in place, and make sure everyone in your family knows it. This should include creating an emergency kit. One of the most dangerous aspects of severe winter storms is the possibility of a power outage. Your kit should include water, nonperishable food that does not require cooking, flashlights with spare batteries, a weather radio, blankets, and first aid supplies. Having an extra supply of prescription medications around during winter months is a good idea because severe weather may make travel difficult.
Stock up on alternative fuel sources for heating in case regular fuel sources become cut off or unusable. For example, have dry, seasoned wood on hand for use in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. Take necessary safety precautions when lighting any fires, and have a fire extinguisher on hand in case of emergencies.
Your home isn’t the only place where you should take extra precautions in the winter. A winter car kit can be a life saver in case of a breakdown during very cold or icy conditions. A kit should include an ice scraper, jumper cables, a flashlight, a weather radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, a distress flag, and sand for traction. Like a home emergency kit, you will want some nonperishable food and water. Temperatures can drop dangerously quickly in a car, especially at night, so have lots of things to help keep yourself warm, such as blankets, hats, mittens, and extra socks.
As you take precautions to keep yourself and your family safe this winter, take time to consider pets and wildlife. Make sure pets have adequate shelter. Even outside pets with well-built doghouses will need to be brought inside if the temperature drops too low or drops for multiple nights in a row. Wild animals have adapted and are able to take care of themselves and keep warm during the winter. However, they may try to take shelter in unusual places when temperatures get very low. Bang on a car’s hood before starting it during cold weather to scare away any cats or small wild animals that may have curled up under it for warmth. Also, antifreeze has a sweet taste to it, so clean up spills to prevent your pets or any wildlife from lapping up the puddles, which are poisonous and deadly.
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