Preparing for Weather

All across the country, and even the world, headline news has been dominated by weather.  Cold fronts and freakishly strong storms for the time of year are occurring everywhere and we must be able to cope with the current climate.  Mother Nature cannot be controlled; however, with proper preparation we can be ready to combat any natural phenomena that crosses our paths.

Know What to Expect

There is no worse feeling then getting up for work and being surprised to see your car covered by snow when preparing to depart.  This feeling can be averted by simply checking the weather report and knowing what to expect. It is important that we build checking weather reports into our daily routine.  This can be done by simply watching the evening news, checking online reports, or having a simple weather app post notifications to your smart device.  If we know snow is on the horizon we can park our vehicles in a different location, add in extra time to our morning routine to clean off our cars, and ensure we have all our winter equipment prepared.  Not knowing where a snow brush is can be very frustrating if you are in a hurry and need to clean off your windshield.  Like anything else in life planning is key and if we know what to expect from the weather we can be prepared to combat it. 

Having the Right Equipment

Have you ever gone to the hardware store looking for a snow shovel the day after a big snow storm?  If you have you know it is an awful experience.  The store is often crowded and usually sold out of everything worthwhile.  In these situations, we typically spend more money than we should on a product that is less effective because we have no choice.  People who prepare and check the inventory of all their winter tools now spend less money and end up with more effective solutions to problems.  Now is the time to check your snow shovel, salt supply, and car brushes to make sure you have everything you need for the season.   If you are missing something or a piece of equipment is damaged, go buy one now before the big rush.  This will ensure you are ready for the eventual poor weather and helps you avoid the need to make a trip in less than ideal conditions.  This rule holds true for household supplies as well.

Household Supplies

With the rise of poor weather we must spend a few minutes to ensure we have everything we need to be able to live at home for a few days if need be.  Poor weather can shut down stores, can cause power outages, and can keep us locked up for our own safety.  Running out of food or other household basics during times like this can be crippling.  Rule one of being prepared for winter is ensuring you always have a few emergency food options.  This can be canned foods, frozen goods, or even some simple meal bars laying around the house.  We do not need to be prepared to live a lifetime cut off from supplies but we should always have a way to eat if the local grocery store is shut down for a few days.  Winter is clearly on the horizon and now is the time to check your home goods stock.  Ensure you have enough food, toilet paper, and other consumables to survive a few days if needed.  It is best to be prepared just in case.

Emergency Plans

Bad weather also can cause problems with our basic utilities such as power and water.  A storm or cold temperatures can cause power outages and water lines to break and we must be prepared to live a few days without modern luxuries if need be.  As stated before the best way to combat this potential disaster is to plan properly.  Having batteries and flash lights around the house is a must.  Additionally, having a backup plan for when the heat goes out is equally important.  This can be a simple propane powered space heater or having large supply of blankets to cuddle under to ensure everyone stays warm.  Lastly, we all take running water for granted.  If a pipe burst our toilets will not even work.  Have a plan to deal with this problem or have an agreement with a family member or friend to stay with them.  If history has taught us anything it should be that Mother Nature is undefeated and we must be ready to cope with whatever she throws at us.

As we enter the winter of 2021 we must take a minute to be thankful for what we have.  Technology and modern logistics has provide all of us with modern comforts we often take for granted.  Our ancestors survived without many of these modern wonders and we can do the same.  In order to overcome any logistical issue that the weather might cause, we must be prepared.  We must be ready to live without luxuries like power and running water for a few days if disaster strikes.  People did it for centuries before they existed, that being said we can survive a few days.  Just make sure we are ready and we will overcome any natural weather disaster that can occur this winter.  Stay warm, stay safe, and be prepared.