Although the blizzard of the century skirted us, we have still been in the clutches of winter. Ice is clinging to nearly everything, bringing widespread outages and blocked roadways. Near-zero sustained temperatures persist, despite Al Gore and my elementary school ozone poster assuring me things would be otherwise. Once again, many of us seem caught with our pants down, despite a full media blitz of hype for a week prior to the storm. A large percentage of folks are frantically scrambling for fuel, generators, alternative heat, and food. Although we can’t possibly be prepared for every scenario, we should, as always, use this as a learning opportunity.
Used generators will be abundant in a few weeks, which is prime time to pounce on one. Store it in the shed along with heavy extension cords of 50 feet or more. Start it regularly to stave off the disappointment of a gummed up carburetor when the need arises. Motocross style storage jugs are the only proper way to store non-ethanol fuel. When your hands are frozen and nerves frayed, you don’t want to fumble with a government-mandated safety jug.
Propane wall heaters or gas logs, properly plumbed, will keep you toasty while keeping the electric company’s hands only elbow-deep in your wallet. Settle this in the summer, when demand is nonexistent. If traveling, old fashioned tire chains will take you places a stubborn Boer billy would shy away from. Pack outerwear as if ending up on foot is all but a given.
Fire your chainsaw up and blow the dust out days before it’s pressed into service. Keep an ample supply of mixed gas and bar oil handy. A Fiskars axe is your friend as well; it will make short work of a small downed pine. Non perishable food and bottled water should be staples in every household, regardless of the forecast. Any number of emergencies could keep us confined for long periods where basic preparation might be the difference between comfort and catastrophe.
While no single idea listed above is groundbreaking, we still find ourselves chasing our tails with every new crisis. Again, things will arise that we simply can’t predict or prepare for, but winters will be cold, and storms will occur. This is a yearly occurrence on some level. With minimal dollars spent, we can be better prepared and avoid scrambling hours before a storm to secure supplies.
Propane lines are nonexistent during warmer weeks. Grocery shelves are full of food with a yearlong shelf life when temperatures are above 50. Generators sit in pawn shops gathering dust for most of their lives. We can do better, for ourselves, for our neighbors, and to lessen the burden on others. Modern luxuries and conveniences have dulled our readiness. Nature has a way of reminding us how fragile our way of life truly is.
Make hay while the sun is shining.
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