Basic Tips to Survive if You Are Snowed In

Today's blog comes from a guest blogger. Thank you Aaron for jumping in and helping out with my March Series!
With the increasing range and intensity of the types of extreme natural disasters we as a planet have faced over the past few months, there has been a notable surge in homeowners wanting to purchase equipment to ready themselves for any situation, no matter how far-fetched or unrealistic it might seem at first glance. Whether it is because of the immense flooding that occurred in certain parts of the UK or the recent polar vortex that attacked the east coast of the United States, many people now want to be ready at a moment's notice for all weather situations.

If your home was under attack from a blizzard, do you think you would be able to live in comfort for an extended period? If a snowstorm suddenly appeared, would you be anxious, worried and on edge, or would you feel calm and confident about living in your house or apartment? If you feel woefully incapable or apprehensive about your chances should these kinds of chilly weather transpire, here are some basic suggestions that may save your life if an icy freeze takes over your area and you are inadvertently snowed in.

Pack an emergency preparedness kit
Put together a kit beforehand that covers tremendous heat, extreme cold and everything in between. You will definitely need a few thick blankets, a large stack of first aid supplies, flashlights, matches, flares, a fire starter kit, water filtration tablets, and so on. A fully stocked emergency kit should also contain lots of non-perishable food tins, long-lasting energy bars and chocolate-based snacks that will help if you need sugar. For more tips on what to include when you make your own winter survival kit, ReadyWisconsin.gov's useful How to Make a Kit page can assist you.

Stay as hydrated as possible
It is vital that you remain hydrated so you do not fall victim to headaches, especially in times of high-stress. Cold temperatures and an overall decrease in your body temperature will facilitate the onset of dehydration, so try to raise your temperature whenever possible by drinking warm water, tea or hot chocolate. Stock up on food and drink that will last a long time.

Always dress suitably
You need to wear warm clothes that will keep you feeling comfortable during periods of immobility. The chances are that you may become inactive as the days pass by, and you will need to stay calm and content in order to keep your body temperature up in case you need to assist others. Layer up to keep your extremities warm by dressing in polyester thermal underwear as a "foundation" base layer. Dress in natural fiber layers, such as merino wool and wool-fleece blends, and wear a lightweight waterproof fleece jacket,and a breathable scarf.

Be aware of the conditions outside
This one is a no-brainer. If it ends up proving difficult to see what the weather is like outside, utilize multiple media platforms to stay conscious of the weather, either by way of the internet, the TV, different radio stations, or by talking to friends and relatives on the phone. If your windows are prone to icing over the minute it gets cold, many people wrap the area in bubble wrap or spare blankets to keep the heat inside. Furthermore, to prevent your interior water pipes from freezing as the temperatures drop, wrap them with insulating foam.

Be ready in case the power goes out
If you lose power, have plenty of candles standing by. Since this will probably mean that the majority of your modes of communication are eradicated too (TV, radio and internet), it would be wise to have a spare cell phone handy, as well as keeping a few dependable hoards of charged batteries in convenient areas that are easy to locate. As such, if your home phone service stops working, turn your charged cell phone off whenever you are not using it; your cell phone should be a dedicated line that you save for emergencies only. You can also invest in a few power banks for your devices. These store electricity and most of them can charge a phone for a full day, though high quality power banks can maintain a charge for several days. Be sure to keep these charged and ready to use.

Regardless of the area, a large sector of Americans will be prone to facing some type of severe weather conditions at some point during their lives, and heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region. However, although the old adage states, "you cannot control the weather," you CAN control what happens when nasty weather rears its ugly head and challenges your daily life with inch upon inch.

When a powerful snowstorm hits, people typically perish either in traffic accidents on icy roads or of hypothermia from prolonged exposure to the cold. During such dire times, you must be prepared to take the appropriate steps needed to survive against whatever Mother Nature throws at you. After all, if roads become icy and deserted, grocery stores will typically be picked clean before they shut down for the near future. Nevertheless, with some savvy forward planning and by using some of the above tips, you will be able to prepare yourself should a snowy encounter arise.


About My Blog Guest:

Aaron Bercovich is the owner of Primed Food, an online supplier offering a large selection of disaster food rations suitable for campers, hunters and hikers, including survival kits, military food, fire starter kits and water filtration products.