Texas Winter is Finally Here

storms are coming, are ya ready?

In Texas, we don’t get much winter weather, but boy howdy when we do it’s usually a doozy.  Cold is cold no matter what you say!!  Weather forecasters are calling for an extended period of cold and weather mischief coming up in the next week or two so I thought now would be a good time to remind us all of what we should do and how to make sure we are prepared.  Let’s go…

• Prepare your home

  There’s not much time to do major overhauls, but take a look around your home and maybe fix the most necessary areas. Insulate, caulk, and weather strip your home to keep out the cold. You can also use plastic insulation over windows to keep out drafts. 
• Prepare your car

  Make sure your car is winterized so check that coolant, and make sure those wiper blades are good, now is the time to make a quick run to the auto supply store if you need to. Check your tires too, last thing you want to be doing is changing a flat tire in the freezing cold. Remember to avoid driving on bridges and overpasses, which freeze faster than roads, if at all possible.  But I will give credit here, our Department of Transportation for sure will be out spreading the de-ice liquid to help keep us safe.
• Prepare your pipes

  Remember to help prevent your pipes from freezing by keeping faucets dripping when the temperature drops below freezing. You can also use heat tape or cable on exposed water pipes or put on the little covers.  We always drip our master bathroom as it is an exterior wall and faces the west winds which always blow hard and cold.
• Prepare an emergency kit

  Check your family’s kit now and make sure you have included items like flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, prescription medications, matches, a portable radio, and a non-electric can opener.

  Do you have a car emergency kit?  Go grab a small one at the drug store now.  Consider having the following  in your vehicle:

  • Water
    
  • Snacks
  • Power bank
  • Blankets
  • Jumper cables
  • Emergency signals
  • De-Icers (Sand, rock salt, or chemical ice melt)

  Prepare for power outages

  Remember to turn off all electronics except for one light so you know when the power is restored. Keep the refrigerator and freezer closed, and have alternate ways to keep medicine cold.

  • Refrigerator items are good for 4 hours
  • Freezer items are good for 24 hours
  • Throw out all warm food

  Make sure you have candles, extra extra flashlights, and a generator if you can.

  
• Prepare for animals

  Remember to provide your animals with plenty of water, food, and shelter. It’s gonna be cold, hopefully we don’t lose power and heat.  Make sure to keep your curtains closed to retain heat in the home and provide blankets for the animals.  Do you have animals outside? Don’t forget them and bring them inside, maybe to a garage if temps dip extremely low.
• Prepare for your heating

  Make sure your heating source is working properly and well ventilated. Have it serviced regularly.  Also check and make sure you have those clothes that layer well where you can find them.  Now is the time to dig them out and have them ready.  Also the big jackets, gloves, ear muffs and the like.  Layer, layer and layer.  Do you have any space heaters? One or two strategically placed will help tremendously, just keep away from curtains, blankets or flammables.  You can also try and trap heat by blocking door and window drafts with blankets or towels.
• Last but not least, check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

  Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure they have working battery backups.

  

Here is a simple list of items to have on hand.  Consider stocking and restocking 3-days’ worth of the following items per person in conditions where power or water may not be accessible:

• Personal Hygiene Kits (baby wipes, etc.)
• Food – non-perishable and non-heated
• Water – 1 gallon per day- per person
• Medication
• Assistive Devices – wheelchairs, oxygen, etc. (backup power, spares)
• Batteries/power banks
• First aid kit and tools
• Paper/plastic dishware, cleaning supplies/trash bags
• Winter Weather Clothing (warm layers)
• Cash
• Important documents
• Pets should also have a supply of food and water for three days, vet and chip records, and kennel/ bedding, leash, and collar

These are the basics, and we all like to think we are prepared. But the truth of the matter is we get lax and forget how brutal Texas Winter Storms can be.  Check your preparedness now so you and your loved ones (furry too) aren’t left out in the cold.

If you have loved ones that are not with you please consider checking in on them too.  Visit this site for some super good tips for our Senior family and friends.  Genuine Global Care has a great information and many of the tips I have stated here, but that also cover Senior specific tips that could be very important.

God Bless,

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Kat

Chief Cook/Bottle Washer & Menopause Survivor! at Mama Kat's Texas

Howdy there, I'm Kat. I'm so glad you found my site, WELCOME! I'm a southern gal with a gypsy soul, living in North Texas which I call home!
I'm married to an amazing man, we have 4 crazy kids, and 4 crazy cats.Pull up a seat, grab a glass of sweet tea and stay awhile!

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