Essential Steps to Prepare Your Home and Family for a Blizzard
Comprehensive strategies for safeguarding your home, car, and family against blizzard risks—clarity on supplies, planning, and safety.
How to Prepare for a Blizzard: Keeping Your Home and Family Safe
Blizzards are more than just heavy snowfall—they are dangerous winter storms, often characterized by high winds (above 35 miles per hour), poor visibility, icy conditions, and potentially life-threatening cold. With climate change altering traditional weather patterns, regions unaccustomed to severe winter storms are now facing their impact. This guide provides a comprehensive plan to prepare your home, car, and family before, during, and after a blizzard, ensuring everyone’s safety and comfort.
What Defines a Blizzard?
According to meteorological standards, a blizzard must last at least three hours, feature winds over 35 mph, substantial snowfall, and poor visibility, making travel hazardous and daily life challenging.
Proactive Preparation: Why Planning Matters
Expert emergency planners emphasize that over-preparation is better than under-preparation. With unpredictable weather due to climate change, assume the storm will escalate: prepare for the worst-case scenario even if the forecast seems mild.
Pre-Blizzard Home Preparation Checklist
Securing your home before a blizzard strikes is crucial. Address these structural and maintenance measures well ahead of the forecast:
- Clean gutters: Remove debris to ensure runoff water is directed safely away from your home.
- Inspect and repair the roof: Replace damaged shingles and confirm your roof’s integrity to withstand snow and ice weight.
- Trim tree branches: Remove or cut back limbs near your house that could break during heavy snow or ice, preventing potentially catastrophic damage.
- Add insulation: Proper insulation sustains warmth, lowers heating costs, and reduces ice damming—call a professional if you’re unsure about insulation requirements.
- Seal cracks and drafts: Weatherstrip doors and windows to prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from entering, increasing comfort and energy efficiency.
- Insulate pipes: Prevent costly and destructive freeze-and-burst scenarios by wrapping pipes, especially those near exterior walls.
- Review home insurance policies: Ensure coverage includes winter storm damage and consider adding flood insurance, since melting snow increases flood risks.
Blizzard Emergency Supplies: What You Need
The cornerstone of blizzard readiness is having an emergency kit tailored to endure several days without access to stores or utilities. Stock up on these essentials:
- Non-perishable food and water: Have at least a three-day supply per person and pet; include canned goods, granola, and high-energy snacks.
- Prescription medications: Keep an extra supply on hand in case pharmacies are closed.
- Blankets and warm clothing: Layering increases warmth; include hats, gloves, and extra socks.
- Flashlights and batteries: Power outages are common; store multiple flashlights plus extra batteries.
- Battery packs (for phones and vital electronics): Ensure connectivity if the grid fails.
- Battery-operated radio: Stay informed about weather developments and emergency bulletins.
- First aid kit: Include bandages, disinfectants, and critical medical supplies.
- Matches and firewood: Use only if you have a fireplace or wood stove—never burn wood in gas or electric heaters.
- Can opener: Manual models are essential, especially if electric power is lost.
- Toilet paper and paper towels: Stock extra; supply chains may be disrupted.
- Salt or sand: For walkways and driveways, helps prevent dangerous icing.
- Space heater: Use cautiously, with proper ventilation—never leave them unattended.
Additional Home Safety Equipment
- Carbon monoxide detectors: Place battery-operated detectors on every level, especially if you’ll use alternative heating methods.
- Fire extinguishers: Know locations and how to use them, especially when heating with wood stoves or generators.
- Snow shovels and roof rakes: Critical for clearing entrances and preventing dangerous snow buildup.
Car Readiness: Prepare Your Vehicle
Your car may become a lifeline for warmth or transport in emergencies. Prepare it with the following measures:
- Winterize fluids: Use antifreeze and winter-grade oil.
- Check battery health: Cold drains battery power faster; have backups.
- Install snow tires or chains: Essential for safe driving if you must go out.
- Emergency car kit:
- Jumper cables
- Ice scraper and shovel
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Non-perishable snacks and bottled water
- Flashlight and batteries
- First aid supplies
- Flares or reflective markers (for visibility in poor weather)
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Blizzard Emergency Planning: Be Ready for Worst-Case Scenarios
Communication, coordination, and clarity can save lives in severe storms. Develop a family emergency plan covering:
- Meeting place: Know where to reunite if separated.
- Emergency contacts: Update phone numbers of relatives, neighbors, and emergency services.
- Evacuation routes: Know the safest ways out in case conditions force you to leave.
- Medical needs: Plan for anyone requiring special medications, therapies, or equipment.
- Pet preparedness: Stock food, water, and consider shelter arrangements for animals.
What To Do During a Blizzard
- Stay indoors: Avoid going outside unless absolutely necessary. Windchill and poor visibility are hazardous.
- Retain heat: Gather family members in one room, dressed warmly; close doors to unused rooms.
- Monitor news: Use battery-powered radios or phones to receive updates.
- Use heating sources safely: Ventilate rooms if using gas heaters or wood stoves—carbon monoxide poisoning is a severe risk.
- Layer clothing: Even indoors, traps body heat and guards against hypothermia.
- Prevent pipe freezing: Consider allowing faucets to drip slightly.
- Clear exits regularly: Shovel doors and pathways to avoid snow accumulation blocking escape.
After the Blizzard: Recovery and Safety
- Assess for hazards: Check for downed power lines, fallen branches, and roof integrity.
- Avoid unnecessary travel: Roads may be icy or uncleared—wait for official announcements before venturing out.
- Watch for flooding: Melting snow can cause rapid water damage; direct runoff away from your home.
- Clear paths carefully: Take breaks when shoveling heavy snow to avoid accidents or injury.
- Check for frostbite/hypothermia: Inspect family members for signs of cold-related health issues.
Common Blizzard Alerts and What They Mean
| Alert Type | Condition |
|---|---|
| Blizzard Warning | Winds >35 mph, visibility <1/4 mile, snowfall ≥3 hours |
| Winter Storm Warning | Heavy snow, ice, or mix—dangerous driving, power outage risk |
| Ice Storm Warning | Significant ice accumulation—power lines/trees may fall |
| Wind Chill Advisory | Low temperatures pose frostbite/hypothermia risk |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How long should I prepare to be housebound during a blizzard?
A: Prepare for at least three days. Severe storms may keep roads impassable and utility services down for longer.
Q: What foods should I stock for a blizzard?
A: Focus on non-perishable and ready-to-eat items—canned beans, soups, dried fruit, granola, and energy bars.
Q: How do I prevent pipes from freezing?
A: Insulate exposed pipes, keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air circulation, and let faucets drip to prevent freezing.
Q: Can I use my oven or stovetop to heat my home?
A: No. Using gas ovens/stoves for heating risks carbon monoxide poisoning. Use heaters or fireplaces with proper ventilation.
Q: What should be in my car emergency kit?
A: Include blankets, water, snacks, an ice scraper, shovel, jumper cables, phone charger, flashlight, and first aid supplies.
Q: Why is flooding a concern after a blizzard?
A: Rapid melting of accumulated snow increases flood risks, especially in poorly drained areas or near rivers.
Conclusion
Preparation is the key to blizzard survival. Advance planning, well-stocked supplies, and knowledge of alerts can be the difference between safety and disaster. By maintaining your home, planning for emergencies, and meeting your family’s needs, you’ll be ready to weather any storm with confidence—and comfort.
References
- https://www.reviewed.com/home-outdoors/features/blizzard-preparation-how-survive-deadly-winter-storm
- https://www.hippo.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-a-blizzard
- https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/fema_winterstorm_htp.pdf
- https://parkcounty-wy.gov/wp-content/uploads/Documents/Homeland%20Security/Documents/winter_manual.pdf
- https://www.cdc.gov/winter-weather/safety/index.html
- https://www.globalrescue.com/common/blog/detail/blizzard-survival-guide-essential-safety-tips/
- https://ready.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/aging/documents/winter-storm-preparedness-guidebook.pdf
- https://turtlefur.com/blogs/blog/snow-storm-necessities
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