It may only be mid-November but we better all get prepared for the first potential blast of winter in the region. Are you ready? Here are some great tips and resources.

ON THE ROADS:

1. Check your anti-freeze before the temperatures drop.

2. Are your tires up to the job?

• Get studded tires installed. They are legal now.
• Make sure your all season tires have good tread.
• Make sure your chains are in good working order and fit your car and that you know how to install them.

3. Make sure to carry a window scraper, first aid supplies, a warm blanket and coat, water and snacks as well as a road kit with jumper cables, etc in case you get stuck on the roads.

4. Carry your cell phone charger that works in your vehicle in case you need it in an emergency. It won’t do you any good if the battery dies.

5. Don’t venture out onto icy or snow covered roads unless you are experienced in hazardous driving conditions. This is the cause of so many of the accidents during inclement weather. Even the experienced driver cannot always avoid a car sliding towards them.

6. Keep enough gas in your tank. You could be stuck for hours like we have seen so many times in the past. Running out of gas would just add to your frustration and to the frustration of the other drivers.

7. Spray WD-40 into your door latch assemblies and lock assemblies, WD-40 will repel water/condensation which can freeze and cause the lock or door latch to be inoperable.

8. If you’re parking outside it’s a good idea to NOT use the parking brake, the cables that actuate the rear brake calipers typically will have water in them which can freeze the cables in the engaged position, its best to leave the ebrake down when its below freezing and your parking outside.

9. If you lose control or enter into a spin or skid turn the steering wheel with the slide, not against! Turning against the slide will only cause it to spin faster and you will have zero control.

10. Freezing rain is about the worst winter weather condition we encounter yearly, do not drive in freezing rain or the aftermath if the temperatures stay below freezing, its not worth the very high risks.

11. If you are in an accident make sure everyone is safe, get the vehicles out of the road way (if possible) and call 911.  Even if the accident is minor, you’ll likely want to notify your insurance company and have the police involved.

ON THE HOME FRONT:

1. Make sure you are well stocked with shovels, sand or salt, batteries for your radio in case of power outages, enough food and water, candles and matches, flashlights and other emergency supplies.

2. Clean your gutters out before it’s too late. Blow or sweep fallen leaves away from drainage grates. Unscrew hoses and cover the hose bib with an insulated cover. Make sure you don’t have pipes in any unheated portion of your home that are not protected. There is nothing worse than broken pipes in the middle of a cold, winter night.

3. Remove any outdoor items that can be blown around by the wind and may possibly damage your house.

4. Consider whether any dead trees might be a hazard to your house if they were to fall. You may want to have them removed by a professional tree service.

5. If you have a well with an electric pump, prepare some tubs of water for cleaning and toilet flushing.

6. If you have a tank where you store fuel (i.e. propane or oil) check to make sure you have a sufficient supply before the storm arrives.

PETS:

1. If at all possible, don’t leave pets outdoors when the temperature or wind-chill drops below freezing.

2.    Outdoor dogs and cats must be protected by a dry, draft-free house that is large enough to allow the animal to sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to hold in his/her body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The door of the house should be turned to face away from the wind, and the doorway should be covered with a flap of heavy waterproof fabric or heavy plastic.  Be sure to place a tarp or plywood behind the house to block the cold, north wind.

3.  Pets spending a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter. Keeping warm depletes energy.

4.  Routinely check your pet’s water dish to make certain the water is not frozen.  Inexpensive, heated water dishes are readily available, or simply put out warm water to delay freezing.  Use plastic food and water bowls rather than metal; when the temperature is low, your pet’s tongue can stick and freeze to metal.

5.  Warm car engines are dangerous for cats and small wildlife.  To avoid injuring any hidden animals, bang on your car’s hood to scare them away before starting your engine.

EXERCISING AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:

1.  Exercising outdoors in the winter often means working out in cold temperatures. Follow the recommendations on MayoClinic’s website and wear several layers of clothing. When you exercise, you exert enough energy to make your body feel like the air temperature is about 30 degrees higher than it is. If the thermometer reads 30 degrees Fahrenheit, your body will feel as though it is 60 degrees after a good workout.