If you’re in the path of the big snowstorm, check out this list by Matt Van Swol. It’s extremely helpful!
=================================
A lot of people have asked for a comprehensive preparedness list for the winter storm.
Feel free to bookmark this or share with friends, stay safe out there:
- ⛽️ Gas up every car (and top off any cans if you’ve got them)
- 💵 Pull cash — assume card readers go down
- 🔋 Charge everything: phones, battery packs, laptops, tool batteries
- 🔌 Make one “charging pile” with all cords so nobody’s hunting
- 🔦 Headlamp for every adult + flashlight for every kid
- 🏮 Lanterns for the main rooms (no candles… kids + candles = nope)
- 🔋 Fresh batteries in a big ziplock — label it
🏠 Pick ONE “warm room” right now (small room, easiest to heat)
- 🚪 Shut doors to the rest of the house
- 🧣 Blankets over windows at night + towels at the bottom of doors
- 🛏️ Drag mattresses/pads in there if you need to
- 🧤 Lay out clothes like it’s ski season: base layer + hoodie + coat + hat + thick socks
- 👟 Slippers/shoes indoors — cold floors will wreck you
- 🧦 Dry clothes only — damp socks = change them immediately
⚠️ Generator = OUTSIDE only (not garage, not “cracked door,” OUTSIDE)
- 🚨 CO alarms working on every floor, especially near bedrooms
- 🔌 Use outdoor-rated extension cords only — don’t run cords under rugs
- 🙅♂️ Don’t do any “dryer plug” stuff — not worth dying for
- ⛽️ Fuel stays OUTSIDE the house
✅ If you’re using a heater: only indoor-rated
- 🔥 Keep it away from blankets/curtains/kids
- 🌬️ Crack a window just a tiny bit
- 😴🚫 Never sleep with a flame heater on
💧 Water: plan 1 gallon per person per day minimum
- 🪣 Fill bathtub/buckets for flushing/washing
- 🚱 On a well? Assume ZERO water once power is out
- 🔧 Find the main water shutoff now (don’t wait)
- 🚰 When it’s brutally cold: let faucets drip (if water’s still on)
- 🧊 Open sink cabinets on outside walls
- 🧣 Wrap exposed pipes / cover outdoor spigots
- 🧯 Disconnect hoses
🥫 Food: buy 7 days of no-cook / easy stuff
- 🍞 Stock basics: PB, tuna, crackers, granola, soup, jerky, shelf milk, cereal
- 🗝️ Manual can opener
- 🍽️ Paper plates if you don’t want to burn water on dishes
- ❄️ Fridge/freezer: open it as little as possible
- ✅ Eat fridge first, then freezer, then pantry
💊 Refill prescriptions
- 🤒 Kids fever meds + thermometer + first-aid kit
- ⚡️ CPAP/nebulizer/anything critical: have a power plan
- 🧼 Baby wipes + sanitizer + trash bags
- 🪣 No water? Bucket toilet plan (bucket + bags + kitty litter)
🎲 Make a “kid station” in the warm room: books, coloring, cards, board games
- 🎬 Download movies ahead of time (airplane mode)
- 🚫 Clear rules: no touching heaters, no cords, no generator zone
- 🌙🏮 Lantern by hallway/bathroom at night
- 🧸 One comfort thing per kid in the warm room
📱 Phones: low power mode + dim screen
- 📝 Write down important numbers on paper
- 📞 Pick a check-in time with family/friends (morning + evening)
🚗❄️ Don’t drive unless you have to — ice will humble you fast
- 🧰 Car kit: blanket, flashlight, snacks, water, jumper pack
- 🚘⚠️ If you run the car for heat: clear the tailpipe and never in an enclosed space
✅ Every morning: quick safety sweep
- 🚨🔥 CO alarms good, heater clear, cords not hot
- 🌡️💧 Watch for leaks when things thaw
- 🤝 Check on neighbors if you can
✅ When power returns:
- 🗑️ Toss sketchy food when power comes back
- ⚡️ Bring the house back online slowly (don’t flip everything at once)
=================================
Be safe everyone!
