Winter Checklist

Found this on the Organized Home website, and thought it was good, so I wanted to share!

When wintry weather blows, will your family be prepared?

Winter brings special seasonal challenges to an organized home.  Winter storms can make navigating roads and walkways hazardous; power outages and snow days highlight any family's readiness for cold weather.

Take time now to review your family's emergency preparedness with this Winter Preparedness Checklist. It'll help you prepare your home and automobile for cold-weather hazards.

Out and About

Will your home welcome winter visitors safely? Get ready for snow, ice or rain on walks and driveways with:

• Snow shovel
• De-icing compound
• Waterproof floor mats

The Inside Story

Household emergency supplies should include enough food, water and supplies to last four days without power or help. Check your home emergency kit against this basic checklist:

• Food that doesn't require heating or refrigeration, such as canned meats, soups and stews, cereal, and energy bars
• Manual can opener
• Paper plates, cups and plastic utensils
• 1 gallon of water per person per day (allow enough for four days)
• Flashlights and batteries
• Battery-powered radio
• Battery-powered clock
• Cellular phone
• First-aid kit (printable first-aid kit checklist)
• Four-day supply of prescription medicines
• Blanket and cold-weather clothing for each family member
• Pet food and additional water for household pets

On The Road:

Winter transportation can mean ice, snow, and hazardous roads. Road conditions can change in an instant. Before traveling, give cars a winter preparedness exam:

• Check antifreeze
• Check and replace older batteries
• Remember to keep the gas tank near full to avoid freezing water in the fuel line
• Check tires and spare tire for proper inflation

Make sure automobiles contain the following emergency supplies:

• Bag of sand, road salt or non-clumping cat litter. The bag's extra weight means better traction, and the contents can be spread under slipping tires.
• Ice scraper
• Jumper cables
• Small shovel (to dig snow away from wheels, or scatter sand on roadway)
• Tire chains (every driver should practice putting them on)
• Flares or reflective triangle to warn other motorists if you break down
• Blanket
• Flashlight and batteries
• Gallon jug of drinking water
• First aid kit 

When traveling by car, include emergency food and clothing for each traveler. Pack supplies in a backpack in case you need to abandon your car.

An emergency backpack should include:

• Jacket, hat, gloves and sturdy, snow-proof boots for each traveler
• Nonperishable food
• Cellular phone
• Money

Emergency Kit

I saw an article in the Parents Magazine a few months ago, and have wanted to start this ever since, but haven't. SO, after the earthquakes we got in Oklahoma this weekend, I decided it was TIME! You can find the article here. I modified it for my post :)

Assemble your Kit
   American Red Cross sells kits complete with food, water, breathing mask, etc. Each kit contains enough resources for one person. 

• Purchase 20-gallon plastic containers with lids (you can also purchase containers that fit under the bed if you're limited on space).
• Determine where to store your kit (garage, or on a lower level is idea).
• Have an emergency cash stash & don't "borrow" from it!
• Make "refresh" cards. These can be taped to the top of each box that details which items need to be "renewed". You will want to switch out food or other items that will expire. 
• You will need enough supplies for each person in your family, and to last you at least three(3) days.

KIT CONTENTS:

1. WATER - Have 3 gallons per person/pet in your home. If you are nursing, you will need more for yourself. 
2. FOOD - Buy canned, high-calorie foods. Good choices are chili, tuna, veggies, and soup; as well as peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, cereal bars, and comfort foods like chocolate or candy. Buy foods with similar expiration dates to make it easier to refresh your kit. If you have kids, you'll want powdered formula for babies, and boxed milk for toddlers. Remember food for your pet. 
3. FIRST-AID KIT - You can buy a standard kit and add to it. Add a couple pairs of gloves, gauze, tape and antibiotic ointment. You may also add over-the-counter medications (remember children's), since they don't come with standard kits either. 
4. "REFRESH" CARD - This lists the contents of the box, and the expiration date of medications/perishable items. 
5. DIAPERS & WIPES - Refresh your diaper sizes!
6. SUNSCREEN - SPF30 or higher
7. MANUAL CAN OPENER (got to open those cans!)
8. WATERPROOF MATCHES
9. FIRE EXTINGUISHER 
10. UTILITY KNIFE
11. RESPIRATOR/SURGICAL MASKS - To reduce exposure to airborne particles.
12. CLOTHING - Have one complete outfit for each person, including sturdy shoes, a hat & gloves. Change out kids clothing as they grow (put on refresh card). 
13. CHILDREN'S ACETAMINOPHEN - You may want to include your child's current dosage on a card (especially infants). 
14. MEDICATION - Get a seven(7) day supply of any med's you/your child is taking. If you/child is on any important med's, ask the doctor for a one-week-supply prescription to fill for your kit. Add the expiration date of med's to your refresh card. 
15. FLASHLIGHTS - One large for each adult and one small for each child who can hold it. 
16. BATTERIES - Have enough for flashlight & radio. Include a full set of replacements. 
17. BATTERY POWERED OR HAND-CRANK RADIO - American Red Cross sells one here. 
18. HAND SANITIZER - Enough to last a few days & your family. 
19. TAMPONS/PADS
20. GARBAGE BAGS
21. BLANKETS - Have one for each person. 
22. TOILET PAPER
23. 12- INCH ADJUSTABLE WRENCH - For turning off your gas line
24. CASH
25. CHLORINE BLEACH - As a cleaner and sanitizer
26. DUCT TAPE & PLASTIC SHEETING - To keep out airborne chemicals. The tape should be at least 10 mil thick; the sheeting, at least 4 mil thick. 
27. DOCUMENTS - Use a waterproof bag with one copy of important documents including: Passports, Bank account & Credit Card numbers, Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards, and Wills. I would suggest keeping these inside in an easy-to-get-to spot that you can grab quickly. You might add family memorabilia such as photos.
28. FUN STUFF - Keep your families spirits high with a deck of cards, coloring books, stuffed animals, puzzles or board games. 
29. WHISTLES WITH LANYARDS - So you can find each other in the dark.
30. A CORDED PHONE - One that will work when power is down.

These aren't in any specific-important order, so make note & start collecting the things which you find important to your family first. 

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Two Ways to Protect Your Home Right Now

1. If you have natural gas, learn how to turn off the gas where it enters your home. If there's any disruption or damage to the gas line due to an earthquake or severe damage to your home, this will reduce the risk of fire. It's easier than I ever imagined, and so necessary. Purchase a 12-inch adjustable wrench or pliers that allow you to turn the valve. Then leave the tool at the site of the gas valve on the outside of your house, and add another to your emergency kit.

2. Familiarize yourself with the main water shut-off valve in your home. Practice turning it off so that if your water safety cannot be assured or if there's a leak in your pipes, you'll be able to quickly turn off all the water flowing into your home.

I haven't started our Kit yet, so as I add to it, I'll try & remember to add pictures, so maybe it will help you with yours! :)

Nov 10, 2011
***I just thought of these, but remember, this is YOUR survival kit, so put whatever you think you'll need in it:
>Utensils - spoons, forks or knives
>Cups - unless you want to drink right out of the gallon water bottles
>Napkins or Towels - for any clean up around cooking/food
>Bowls - one per person is sufficient. A bowl works because it can be used for any food. Plates would be hard for soup etc.