Winter storms can bring power failures and poor communications in affected areas. Driving can also be unsafe because of the ice covering every road. But what can you do to prepare your home and your car before the extreme cold weather hits your area?
Safety is everyone’s top priority whenever there’s a winter storm that’s about to hit their area. That’s why it’s crucial to plan everything days before the storm hits. But where do you start?
Planning for the disaster
One of the critical things that you need to do is to prepare your home. You need to ensure that your home is weatherproof to keep the heat inside. You can start by insulating all the water lines inside the exterior walls so that the water that’s running through it won’t freeze.
You also need to caulk and apply weather-strip in all the windows and doors. Check if the walls, as well as the attic, are adequately insulated, too. It’s also best to cover your windows with plastic to prevent the heat from escaping.
Checking the roofs for any leaks and cutting away any tree branches that could potentially cause accidents once the storm hits is important, too. It’s also advisable to check your flue or chimney inspected annually. Performing a yearly inspection is crucial, especially if you’re planning to use it for emergency heating.
One way to do it is by asking the fire department in your area so they can recommend you with an inspector or even find one available online. You should also install a carbon monoxide detector or a smoke detector near your fireplace or kerosene heater for safety purposes.
Creating an emergency action plan
Aside from preparing your house for the impending storm, it’s also a must to create an emergency action plan to help everyone stay healthy and informed throughout the entire ordeal. Having an emergency action plan will undoubtedly help everyone in the household stay safe.
The first thing that you need to include in your plan is how to stay healthy. You also need to know where to get medical help and how you can contact these emergency health services. You also need to know where you get the latest news when it comes to the weather or any important announcements that could help you stay safe.
Keeping a contact number of any snow hauling service here in Grande Prairie is also crucial, especially when it comes to clearing off the snow on the road. You also need to ensure that everyone in your family stays in contact with one another.
You should also keep in touch with any of your friends and caregiver, too. Saving the numbers of your physicians or pharmacist is crucial, especially when there’s an emergency.
Proper preparation is the best way to ensure everyone’s safety, especially during a winter storm. You need to stay informed of any updates as well as any news about the weather. Doing so will help you know how to handle the situation in the best way possible.
