Snowing... Is it a disaster?
Well, I hadn’t planned to write about snow this week… it was supposed to be security cameras.
But, it snowed.
Lets talk about preparation for a snow disaster.
Lets talk about what kinds of emergencies can occur in snow storms, particularly on the east coast, and then talk about how you can prepare for them.
There are 2 categories, generally of problems that you may face.
The first is home.
The second is transportation/cars.
The second is a bit easier to discuss, so lets start there.
CAR
In your car, there are only a few things that are possible issues.
- You get stuck somewhere due to snow.
- You crash, and get stuck somewhere due to snow
- Your car breaks down.
If you get stuck somewhere, the easiest solution is to have a snow shovel or military entrenching tool in your car. Dig yourself out. This is the easiest problem to fix. You may need help, but in most cases a shove is all you need.
There are also some traction support solutions, including a foldable mat that goes under your wheels, and chains to go on your tires. Studded tires are just so 70s, and bad for the roads, so don’t do that.
If you crash, then you need to be prepared to get yourself out.
Ropes and chains are helpful, and you may need a come-along. Tractor Supply, Northern Tool and Amazon are places to look. If you want one made in America.. you will need to look a bit more.
If you can get some assistance from another vehicle, it is possible that with the ropes and chains, they can pull you out. Or not.
Car break-downs.
This is usually a maintenance issue.
It is always a good idea to change the oil before any major weather comes through, and in general, keep up with the maintenance. Oil changes, tire rotation, belts and hoses. Keep it all checked and maintained.
Something to jump start your car on your own since batteries + cold equal some rough times. I would recommend a Li-Ion battery charger and check every few months to see if it is charged. If Li-Ion gets to 0%, it can harm the battery and cause it to not charge fully next time.
https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GB50-UltraSafe-Lithium-Gasoline/dp/B07MVY7K43
A proper ice scraper is also essential,
I have a STRONG preference for a brass scraper. The plastic ones don’t do a good job, and they chip and leave streaks..
Take a look at this one.
You should also have a snow brush or broom in the car to help brush away snow from your car.
HOME
LOTS of things can go wrong in a home, so I am going to only touch on the things that you should think about.
If the snow on your roof gets too heavy, it can collapse the roof. Make sure that you have a plan for reducing or removing the snow from your roof. Honestly, this is the one that I have not got planned well, or really, even more than being aware that it could be a problem.
I could climb on to the roof and rope myself to the chimney and shovel some snow off, but for the most part, I am not planning on that being enough of a problem that it is a serious risk. In places where it is a serious risk, the roofs are more slanted to force the snow to fall off.
It is even more important to have a snow shovel in your home. All sorts of things need to be dug out, from cars to trash cans. Make sure your walk way is shoveled, too.
Cold injuries are a thing. Hypothermia can set in very quickly. It is very important to recognize hypothermia, and start treatment quickly. It can go from being cold to being life threatening in a matter of minutes, and is even faster if you are wet. Remove wet clothing and put on several layers of clean, dry, warm clothing. Wool and many synthetics can keep you warm even when wet, so that may be another good plan. Cotton tends to wick the het right out of you. Moderate to severe hypothermia can be life threatening. Get medical assistance immediately.
Frostnip and frostbite are also dangerous. Cold extremities are the first sign, and if you are experiencing this, get some place where you can warm those up carefully and slowly. Frostnip is where jus the surface layers of skin start freezing. This can damage cell walls, including skin cells, but just as importantly, nerves and blood vessels.
Frost bite is when the full thickness of the skin and usually some depth into the skin freezes. Usually, there is substantial damage to skin, muscle, nerves, blood vessels, and sometimes even bones.
If you feel cold, get warm. If you are experiencing frostnip, you may need medical attention. If you are experiencing frostbite, it maybe life threatening, you should seek medical assistance immediately.
Fire is a substantial danger.
Check all your electrical cords, and wires for fraying or damage. Beware of overloading circuits. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was funny, but seriously, if you use that many extension cords and wires, you can burn your house down.
If you use a kerosene heater you will need not only a smoke detector, but a carbon monoxide detector. Its probably not a bad idea to have a smoke and CO detector, in any event, CO is a silent killer, with no odor or signs, other than being more sleepy than you expect.
Check and maintain your fire extinguishers, because a fire would be devastating.
AS we go into the overnight, STAY HOME. Black ice—ice that has just enough surface to make it not reflective, and therefore difficult to see, is EXTREMELY dangerous. Your car cannot stop or steer on black ice. You have basically no control, and because it is nearly invisible, you have no idea until you are spinning out of control.
With that, I’ll see you later.
Jason
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