12 February 2019
We haven’t had much snow yet, but it is on they way. Snow when you are unprepared can be a tough surprise for homeowners who don’t have the necessary supplies for prep and cleanup. Don't be caught off guard.
Make your windows less drafty. Cold temp-safe clear tape is nice to have around in the case of cracked windows from tree branches and other flying debris. Or, use it to seal air leaks where you feel drafts for a quick, temporary fix.
Several items in the emergency prep list run on gasoline, so an airtight gas can is an absolute must. Make sure it has child-resistant features and an automatic venting system for safer storage.
A 45-pound portable generator designed for camping is easy to move around and it will run for eight hours at half load and operates on gasoline, making it ideal for basic emergency use.
Branches weighed down by heavy wet snow can become fallen limbs or even downed trees. Saw them into manageable pieces for safe and easy removal, or use them for firewood.
Keeping driveways and walkways free from snow and ice is considerably easier with a salt spreader. The walk behind model is easy to operate and covers a large radius to help get the job done faster.
Shoveling snow can be back-breaking work. Save your back for other activities, like riding out the storm in your recliner with a cup of hot chocolate. Some shovels adjust to the height of the user, and has a mechanism to lift and dump snow without bending. Other homeowners like the more traditional snow blower. Whatever your preference, make sure you have a shovel available and that is easy to use.
Have a driveway that's too large for clearing snow with a shovel? A gas-powered thrower or Ariens snow blower promises to toss snow several feet away and clear a path through even a foot of snow.
Lanterns and other lights that don't require electricity are a necessity for any household, but a hand crank one is a requirement in any basic storm kit. A super-bright LED lantern never needs batteries—just an occasional wind-up to keep the light shining as long as needed.
Snow is still just frozen water. If the temps warm up and that snow starts melting, you could end up with a flooded basement—a double whammy if the power goes out making your sump pump nonoperational. A battery backup sump pump is your basement's best friend because it's there all the time, especially when you lose power and need it the most.
Undrained water in pipes can freeze, which will cause pipes to burst as the ice expands. Start by disconnecting all garden hoses and draining the water that remains in faucets.
If you don’t have frost-proof faucets (homes more than ten to 15 years old typically do not), turn off the shut-off valve inside your home.
Don’t wait for the first winter storm to restock cold-weather essentials, such as salt or ice melt. For more information on all your snow removal and winter home preparedness needs, contact Monnick Supply.
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