How you prepare for a snow storm will depend on where you live. When I lived in Vancouver a snow storm was a very minimal amount of snow, so there was no “prep” needed other than to pull out snow suits and winter gear. Moving to the Maritimes, I learned what actual winter storm preparedness looked like. It took me a few winters till I perfected it, but I think I’ve got it down.
Clear Outside Your Home
You will want to put away any debris that could fly around with the high winds. Anything that can’t be put away should be tied down.
Make sure your outdoor faucets are turned off and hoses are detached.
Prepare The Inside of Your Home
If you are on a well system, you will need to fill up all of your bathtubs with water and fill as many containers up with water. If you’re not on a well system you’re fine and this is a step you won’t need.
Pull out your generator if you have one, and set it up. Don’t forget to fill up the gas cans.
Prepare For a Power Outage
It’s not guaranteed you will have a power outage, but it’s a strong possibility. Pull out blankets and close doors that lead to unused rooms. If you have any major drafts in windows or doors, you will need to cover them. If you don’t have your fridge connected to a generator the best way to ensure your food doesn’t spoil is to have coolers on hand. When I lose power in the winter I will move my food to coolers. After a few hours and place them on the back deck where it can stay cold.
For more tips on how to prepare for a power outage click here.
After The Storm
Once the storm is over you will need to clear the snow. If you have a snow blower make sure you have gas for it.
Other things you will want to have on hand:
- Snow Shovels: My house needs a ton of these as we all have our preferences.
I prefer the deeper ones like this one:
My husband prefers the pusher ones like this one:
I just stumbled upon this one and will be trying it out this year:
- 2. Salt:
Also, do a walk around of your home to ensure snow isn’t blocking any vents. If you have a heat pump, you should ensure the outdoor unit is clear of snow.
What are your top tips, tricks, and absolute-must haves to prepare for a snow storm? I would love to hear about them in the comment section.
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