How to Prepare Your Home and Family for an Ice Storm
Ride out an ice storm by having a plan, stocking up and avoiding hazards
Was winter weather preparation one of your New Year’s resolutions? If it wasn’t, or if you haven’t made progress yet, it’s not too late to start planning, especially for an ice storm.
Whether it’s with downed power lines, damaged cars, broken tree branches or treacherous roadways, ice storms disrupt a community. And even trace amounts of freezing rain can cause major hazards in and around your home. To make matters worse, ice storms can hit with little or no warning, making it even more important to be prepared.
To protect your loved ones and property from wicked winter weather, here are a few tips to help you ride out the storm.
Whether it’s with downed power lines, damaged cars, broken tree branches or treacherous roadways, ice storms disrupt a community. And even trace amounts of freezing rain can cause major hazards in and around your home. To make matters worse, ice storms can hit with little or no warning, making it even more important to be prepared.
To protect your loved ones and property from wicked winter weather, here are a few tips to help you ride out the storm.
Have an emergency plan.
- Discuss what to do if a storm hits and you are at work, school or home.
- Make a to-do list of what needs to be done as soon as you hear about an ice storm.
- Store important documents such as birth certificates, passports, wills, financial documents and insurance policies in a waterproof container.
- Appoint an out-of-town contact as a central point to communicate with in an emergency.
- Practice the plan with your family and make sure everyone has a copy of the plan.
Stock up on essentials. Ice storms often can lead to prolonged power outages. Every home should have a three-day emergency preparedness kit that’s fully stocked, safely stored and readily accessible. Here are some key items to include.
- Non-perishable food and a manual can opener
- Minimum of a half-gallon, or 2 liters, of water per day, per family member. Store the water in small bottles to make it easier to carry in case of evacuation.
- Basic toiletries (toothpaste, shampoo, soap)
- Blankets and insulated clothing
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Toilet paper and garbage bags
- Basic first aid kit
- Medication and additional health-related items, such as contact lenses or glasses
- List of emergency contacts
- Battery-powered radio
- Spare keys to house and car
- Cash in small denominations
- Emergency plan
Trim the trees. Branches weighed down by ice can cause damage and injury if left unattended. Take time now to trim any trees that hang close to your home and contact your local utility company for more information about how to safely pare branches growing near power lines.
Stay safe indoors. Never run a generator indoors to try to heat your home. It can emit deadly carbon monoxide fumes. Also, barbecues and other outdoor grills should never be used indoors to generate warmth, not even in the garage. Doing this can have dangerous, even deadly, consequences.
Stay safe indoors. Never run a generator indoors to try to heat your home. It can emit deadly carbon monoxide fumes. Also, barbecues and other outdoor grills should never be used indoors to generate warmth, not even in the garage. Doing this can have dangerous, even deadly, consequences.
Avoid a surge. Unplug unnecessary appliances like televisions and toaster ovens in the event of a winter blackout to prevent a surge once power is restored.
Keep it closed. Avoid opening refrigerator and freezer doors during an ice storm blackout. Frozen food will keep for up to 48 hours during a power outage. But when in doubt after a loss of power, toss it out.
Staying one step ahead of an ice storm can make all the difference to your home and safety. So don’t delay, follow the above tips and give yourself peace of mind this winter.
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Keep it closed. Avoid opening refrigerator and freezer doors during an ice storm blackout. Frozen food will keep for up to 48 hours during a power outage. But when in doubt after a loss of power, toss it out.
Staying one step ahead of an ice storm can make all the difference to your home and safety. So don’t delay, follow the above tips and give yourself peace of mind this winter.
More
What to Do When Your Pipes Freeze
Read more housekeeping stories
Find home safety products