Winter Storm Prepardness

Snow! To some it's a joyful noise, to others it's a pain in the... well, you know. Regardless of what it is to you, it's important that you take a few precautions and preparations to make your stay with the cold stuff more manageable and enjoyable. Here are just a few ideas and/or tips to better prepare for a day (or days) in a winter wonder land.

• Basic Survival items are absolutely necessary. Certain things are just simply needed to survive a storm. A few of those basic survival needs in a snow storm would be:

  • 1. A Shovel – No matter where you live, you may need to shovel your way out. An apartment or a house, doesn't matter. If heavy snow falls, you need some way to free yourself.

  • 2. Flashlight and EXTRA batteries – Heavy, wet snow = Power Outages. Enough said!

  • 3. Candles – Why rely on batteries that can go dead, when you can harness the power of fire. But, please, do so responsibly and carefully. A house fire on top of a snow storm is not a good mix.

  • 4. Non-perishable food – hunger happens. If the power is out, there goes your microwave and electric stoves. Not to mention all that great food in your fridge.

  • 5. Blankets and warm clothing – no power = no heat (for most of us). Wood stoves work well without power. :)

  • 6. Bottled Water – if the power goes out, your pump may also which would leave you high and dry – pun intended. :)

  • 7. A fully charges cell phone.

2. Keep Yourself Warm (and your house).

• 1. Frozen pipes equal water damage. - This can be a drain on your Martinsburg Home Insurance and can just be a pain in the rear. Keeping your pipes from freezing and potentially busting is a huge deal!

• 2. Seal up any drafts under doors or around windows. - If the power goes out, and your heat goes out, it's important to keep the warm air in and the cold air out.

• 3. Cuddle Up – if your loved ones are home, cuddle up under a blanket and read a book. It's family time you'll enjoy!
  
  

3. Stay Updated.

• 1. When you can, watch the news or listen to the radio.

• 2. Use social media via your cell phone if you can. Don't waste precious battery power on Face-booking, but use if when necessary for weather updates or to check in on loved ones.

• 3. USE TEXT MESSAGING! This preserves battery life, and it does not put the stress on the cell carriers that making calls does. In any emergency, TEXT don't call.

• 4. Attempt to keep in touch with family and friends. You may want to consider setting up a follow-up call after the storm just so you all know when and where each other will be, and be able to follow up on each others safety following the storm. 

  
  

Ideally, we will all weather the storm without incident. But, a little preparation can go a long way in making it an enjoyable experience versus a terrifying experience. Needless to say, our staff will be there to help with anything you need. We are just a call or email away! Stay Safe – and Warm!  

If you'd like to read more, most of the information compiled in this article is from "How to Prepare For A Winter Storm."