Are You Blizzard Ready?

26 Jan Are You Blizzard Ready?

Winter storms can quickly progress extremely quickly, turning into a blizzard with blinding and wind-driven snow that make driving conditions very hazardous.

There are 5 Major Steps you should take to make sure that you and your family will be able to stay warm and safe:

1. Stock Up on Essentials

• 1 week supply of water- 1 gallon per person, per day
• 1 week supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
• 1 week supply of medications and medical supplies
  • If you rely on oxygen, please be sure you have an ample supply on hand
• Flashlights for every member of your family and extra batteries
• A battery-powered radio
• A stocked first aid kit
• 1 week supply of pet supplies
  • Remember to keep your pets inside!
• Warm coats, gloves, hats, snow boots, extra blankets, and warm clothing on hand

2. Prepare Your Vehicle

• Service your car while the weather is good.
• Keep your gas tank full, this will keep the fuel line from freezing
• Restock your car’s emergency kit
• Have an ice scraper handy
• Fill your windshield washer reservoir with winter fluid or a de-icer solution
• Fold the wiper arms up off the glass or place small objects under the wiper arms to hold the blades off the windshield.

3. Prepare Your Home

• Make sure you have tools and supplies for securing home
• Have sand, rock salt, or non-clumping kitty litter to help make walkways less slippery
• Leave your shovels in a place where you can safely access them
• Have ample alternate heating methods such as fireplaces or wood- or coal-burning stoves
• If you, a friend or family member relied on electricity for life support devices, well water, or refrigeration for medications, please make preparations now to switch to a backup source or move to an alternate location. It’s also a good idea to have a battery-powered option.
• Apply weatherstripping to doors and windows
• Caulk any air gaps
• Insulate your pipes
• If it’s safe to do so, clear your rain gutters and trim away any branches that could fall onto your home.
• Install and test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

4. Plan & Prepare for an Emergency

• Charge your cell phones and locate spare cell phone chargers
• Create a list of emergency contacts
  • Download a Family Emergency Plan from Ready.gov, fill it out, and print or email copies to your important contacts.

5. Stay Put and Travel for Emergencies Only

• If the power goes out:
  • Report a power outage online with eversource.com or call 800-286-2000
  • Cover windows with plastic sheeting to keep the cold air out and close off all unnecessary rooms to concentrate heat.
  • Never use a generator, grill, gas or oil-powered heater, or camp stove indoors or in partially enclosed areas.
  • Flashlights are better than candles and you should never walk with a lit candle
• If your pipes freeze:
  • Remove any pipe insulation, open all faucets, and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they are most exposed to the cold.
• If you need to shovel:
  • Take breaks when needed, stay hydrated, wear breathable layers, and push the snow, don’t try to lift it.
• If you see a downed power line:
  • Always assume that it’s live. Don’t go near it and never drive over it. Call 9-1-1 to report the downed line immediately.
• For non-emergency services:
  • Contact 2-1-1 by dialing 2-1-1 or online at www.211ct.org
• For emergency assistance:
  • For medical emergencies, call 9-1-1 immediately.
  • If your home loses power for an extended period, you run out of supplies, the weather is extremely cold, or you need other information on emergency disaster services including shelters, please contact the Connecticut American Red Cross by dialing 877-287-3327 or online at www.ctredcross.org.

If you have any questions about your insurance coverage for the storm, be sure to give our office a call at 860-437-7282!

Stay warm & stay safe!