What to Do When You're in a Blizzard White Out
- One of the best places to be caught in a blizzard is your house, but that does not make it an invincible fortress. After all, some homes rely on electricity for cooking, heating and hot water, and heavy snow can bring tree limbs down upon power lines. In addition to preparing items, prepare a meeting plan with your family and neighbors ahead of time.
The kit should include batteries and spares for a radio, flashlight and cell phone. An induction flashlight is ideal since it relies on a hand crank for power, but any working battery-powered light will do. A small, battery-powered radio will let you listen to news bulletins, which often contain emergency information regarding the storm and where to seek shelter. Nonperishable food items, especially pre-cooked food, should be well stocked, as should a few gallons of drinking water. Keeping a shovel indoors is a smart idea, as many people store theirs in a garage or barn. Make sure all important phone numbers, such as your doctor and an out-of-area friend, are written down ahead of time. - Inside your vehicle, on the other hand, is a very tenuous place to be while the snow accumulates. Risks ranges from your car being stuck on a hill or sliding off the road to being stuck for hours or even days. Your car can even become buried and unseen by authorities.
In addition to all the items in the home kit, you should add a first aid kit, a towing rope, blankets, a knife, waterproof matches, a bag of road salt, sand or kitty litter, jumper cables, an ice scraper, a spare car key, a map or GPS, a tool box and toilet paper in a sealable container. Of course, the best way to avoid getting your vehicle stuck in a blizzard is to avoid driving when a storm is approaching. - In the event you are caught driving in a blizzard, adjust your driving accordingly. Allow more space between your car and the vehicle ahead so you have more room to stop. Do not accelerate or brake quickly, especially if your vehicle has rear wheel drive. Try to keep your tires in the tracks of the car ahead of you. If at all possible, stay on local roads to be closer to a town in the event you cannot continue driving. Additionally, make sure your tires are properly inflated and your wiper fluid reservoir is full before heading out in a snowstorm.
- It's not all doom and gloom with blizzards, as many children can enjoy the opportunity to play in the deep snow during their days off from school. Snowmen and igloos make great lawn decorations, and many families use the down time to play board games. Be sure to keep some games and decks of cards in your blizzard kit to stay entertained.