7 Blizzard Survival Tips
It has been one of those winters!
It seems as if no matter what part of the country you live in, snow keeps creeping in! Even though we live in one of the most northern states in the US (Minnesota), we have not received the snow that many other states have. I say that with caution because don’t get me wrong – we have snow. Plenty of it. At the same time, we have not had the blizzards that many other people have. Yes, we have had days off from school, times where leaving town are not possible, but again, I know we are not the only ones!
Where do you live and what has the weather been like for you? Has it already been a long winter? Are you dreaming of that warm place? Where would that be?
In light of all the snow, there are certain survival ideas and skills that we tend to push to the side until it is too late. What are some of those survival tips you might ask?
The #1 survival tip is to:
PREPARE!
1. Prepare for POWER OUTAGES: Do you have an alternative for heat? Do you have a propane or kerosene heater? What about candles and flashlights to shed light? In all of these make sure you are on the lookout for fire hazards!
2. Prepare for WARMTH: Do you have a stash of blankets stored somewhere? That the whole family knows about?
3. Prepare to EAT: Without having a stove, oven, or microwave, do you have ideas of what you can eat? Always have your cupboards stocked with cereal, granola bars, protein items, crackers, peanut butter, etc. You can always use camping equipment to cook!
4. Prepare an EMERGENCY KIT: batteries, flashlights, crank or battery powered radio, matches, candles, cards, games, water, non-perishable food (snacks).
5. Prepare your CELL PHONE: Make sure your cell phone is fully charged if you know a storm is coming
6. Prepare JUGS OF WATER
7. Prepare YOUR VEHICLE: Keep an emergency bag in your vehicle: water, tow rope, blanket, shovel, snacks, first aid kit, radio, flashlight, batteries.
- If you do get stranded, try to save on gas by turning off your vehicle and turning it on every 45 minutes or so. Also, keep drinking water – dehydration can quickly set in. Keep moving to keep blood flowing. Make sure your tail pipe is clear of snow (open your window slightly when turning on vehicle), watch your gas gauge, and STAY IN YOUR CAR (unless you can find cover).
This winter is far from over! STAY WARM and make sure you are PREPARED!
What are you doing to survive the blizzards?
Thanks. It's always good to be reminded of these tips that could really help out in a winter emergency. 🙂
Thanks Malvis! Tips that are crazily applicable to so many right now!
We live in the Birmingham, Alabama area and don't get a lot of snow. On January 28, we were on our way out to the lake where we live from Birmingham–a 45 minute drive–and it began to snow. Bottom line: We spent our 48th anniversary in the car! Totally stuck with about 7,000 other travelers on the ice. We were cold, we were hungry, and we loved every minute we spent together! Wouldn't plan it again, but we definitely had conversations we'd never had in all these years. Thank you for the super list!
WOW, Mary! What a way to celebrate your anniversary! Happy anniversary by the way…and I am sure it will probably be one of the anniversaries you will never forget! I can't imagine the stress and frustration, but way to make the most of the given situation, Mary. Thank you for sharing this – probably never thought you would relate to it so much, living in ALABAMA :)!
Yep…MN here…and SOOOO ready for Spring…but also know our snowiest month is still ahead in March…as long as we don't have snow in May like last year…thanks for the reminders…I had the thought of a can opener…since I use my electric one all the time what would I do? Better get that taken care of…after Winter we have the summer storm season too
Teresa – being new to MN, I didn't know the snowiest month is March! I can't imagine all the blowing that is probably added in with that! I do remember snow still being on the ground though, last year in May! Crazy! I am excited for spring and the promise of it! Thanks for sharing Teresa!