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>>174284>>174284Matt Van Swol @mattvanswol - A lot of people have asked for a comprehensive preparedness list for the winter storm.
Feel free to bookmark this or share with friends, stay safe out there:
- Gas up every car (and top off any cans if you’ve got them)
- Pull cash — assume card readers go down
- Charge everything: phones, battery packs, laptops, tool batteries
- Make one “charging pile” with all cords so nobody’s hunting
- Headlamp for every adult + flashlight for every kid
- Lanterns for the main rooms (no candles… kids + candles = nope)
- Fresh batteries in a big ziplock — label it
-
- Pick ONE “warm room” right now (small room, easiest to heat)
- Shut doors to the rest of the house
- Blankets over windows at night + towels at the bottom of doors
- Drag mattresses/pads in there if you need to
- Lay out clothes like it’s ski season: base layer + hoodie + coat + hat + thick socks
- Slippers/shoes indoors — cold floors will wreck you
- Dry clothes only — damp socks = change them immediately
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- Generator = OUTSIDE only (not garage, not “cracked door,” OUTSIDE)
- CO alarms working on every floor, especially near bedrooms
- Use outdoor-rated extension cords only — don’t run cords under rugs
- Don’t do any “dryer plug” stuff — not worth dying for
- Fuel stays OUTSIDE the house
-
- If you’re using a heater: only indoor-rated
- Keep it away from blankets/curtains/kids
- Crack a window just a tiny bit
- Never sleep with a flame heater on
-
- Water: plan 1 gallon per person per day minimum
- Fill bathtub/buckets for flushing/washing
- On a well? Assume ZERO water once power is out
- Find the main water shutoff now (don’t wait)
- When it’s brutally cold: let faucets drip (if water’s still on)
- Open sink cabinets on outside walls
- Wrap exposed pipes / cover outdoor spigots
- Disconnect hoses
-
- Food: buy 7 days of no-cook / easy stuff
- Stock basics: PB, tuna, crackers, granola, soup, jerky, shelf milk, cereal
- Manual can opener
- Paper plates if you don’t want to burn water on dishes
- Fridge/freezer: open it as little as possible
- Eat fridge first, then freezer, then pantry
-
- Refill prescriptions
- Kids fever meds + thermometer + first-aid kit
- CPAP/nebulizer/anything critical: have a power plan
- Baby wipes + sanitizer + trash bags
- No water? Bucket toilet plan (bucket + bags + kitty litter)
-
- Make a “kid station” in the warm room: books, coloring, cards, board games
- Download movies ahead of time (airplane mode)
- Clear rules: no touching heaters, no cords, no generator zone
- Lantern by hallway/bathroom at night
- One comfort thing per kid in the warm room
-
- Phones: low power mode + dim screen
- Write down important numbers on paper
- Pick a check-in time with family/friends (morning + evening)
-
- Don’t drive unless you have to — ice will humble you fast
- Car kit: blanket, flashlight, snacks, water, jumper pack
- If you run the car for heat: clear the tailpipe and never in an enclosed space
-
- Every morning: quick safety sweep
- CO alarms good, heater clear, cords not hot
- Watch for leaks when things thaw
- Check on neighbors if you can
- Toss sketchy food when power comes back
- Bring the house back online slowly (don’t flip everything at once)
https://x.com/mattvanswol/status/2014446712895508613 23