Hint: You may ice-proof your windows with vinegar. If you think frost is coming, just fill a spray bottle with three parts vinegar to one part water and spray it on all of your car windows at night. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which raises the freezing point of water and will keep your windows clear of an icy mess!
Preparing for Winter Weather
- Develop a communications plan for your family or business associates. This should include how you will contact one another and how you will get back together.
- Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or the local news channels for information from the National Weather Service. Always be alert to changing weather conditions.
- Limit your travel. If travel is absolutely necessary keep a disaster supply kit in your vehicle.
- Bring pets inside during winter weather. If you have livestock or outside animals move them to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water.
- Keep dry. If you do become wet try to get dry clothing on as quickly as possible. Hypothermia can set in quickly.
- Stay indoors during the storm.
- Once you do venture outside, avoid overexertion. Activities such as shoveling snow can bring on overexertion which can lead to a heart attack.
- If you must travel, let others know your departure time, your route, and your intended destination.
Video - Winter Weather Preparation
Winter Weather Emergency Kit Extras
To best prepare for a winter storm add the following to your basic disaster gear kit:
- Adequate sleeping bags or blankets to keep you and members of your family warm
- Warm hats and glove or mittens
- Several sets of dry clothes - hypothermia can be deadly if you get wet
- A good supply of dry firewood
- Sufficient heating fuel
- A camping stove with fuel to heat water or cook food
- Rock salt or other eco friendly products to melt ice on your sidewalks or driveway
- Sand to improve traction if you must travel
- Snow shovels
- An ice scraper for your car
