Winter is in full swing for those living in more Northern parts of the country (and world for that matter). If you live in a fairly large city, you may think a winter storm isn’t really a big deal, but in some situations, it can be devasting. For those living in more isolated parts, even a mild winter storm can be devasting.
Either way, events like the 2014 polar vortex show us that extreme winter weather is no joke, and it must be respected. As such, you should prepare yourself to be able to survive a winter storm or a blizzard. Here is our guide.
If you’re outside…
- Find shelter: make an effort to stay dry and cover any exposed body parts.
- If there is no shelter nearby: create a lean-to, windbreak, or snow cave to block the wind. Create a fire to provide heat and draw attention. To reflect and absorb heat, surround the fire with rocks.
- Use snow for drinking water: just make sure you melt the snow, otherwise eating snow will lower your body temperature even more.
- Either get dry or stay dry: it is important that you don’t get wet for long so make sure you try to light a small fire to keep you warm and dry.
- Exercise: it’s important to keep the blood flowing and to stay warm, periodically exercise your arms, legs, fingers, and toes vigorously. If you are not in good health, stay away from strenuous activities like pushing a car, shovelling heavy snow, or walking through deep snow. A heart attack could be brought on by the strain of the weather and the difficult work. Sweating may result in a cold and hypothermia.
If you’re in a car or truck…
- If you’re driving: try to stop somewhere. But if you must drive, then slow down and make sure someone knows the route you are taking and where you are. If you have trouble seeing or visibility becomes too limited, then find a spot to stop.
- Don’t leave your vehicle: visibility can go very quickly in a winter storm or blizzard so getting out of the vehicle can expose you to hazards. Worst of all, you might get lost outside of your vehicle and not be able to get back to it. Always stay in your vehicle and run it for 10-15 minutes each hour for a bit of heat.
- Stay visible: ideally try to use clothing, paper, or packaging that you can put up against windows to keep you visible. If you must, run the vehicle and use the interior dome lights to keep you visible. If you are running the vehicle, try to conserve gas as much as possible. Remember, never turn on electronics in the vehicle without fulling powering on the vehicle as the last thing you need is a drained or dead battery.
- Keep your body moving: as limited space can be in a car; you must keep the blood flowing in your body. Even if this means doing something minimal like stomping your feet or clapping your hands, it’s important to move in one way or another.
If you’re at home or inside…
- Stay inside: just like if you were in a car, leaving could lead to exposure to more hazards or issues with limited visibility.
- Close off cracks under doors: they will let out heat so make sure to stuff them with towels or rags.
- Try to stick to one or two rooms: this way you won’t be heating the entire house and you can close off the unused rooms to prevent warm air moving out.
- Stay hydrated and nourished: not only is it important to stay hydrated and nourished so your body can produce energy to keep itself warm, but an unnourished body is more susceptible to getting sick. The last thing you need is to get a cold or flu in a storm.
Stay safe!
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Ben