This past week we had our first snowfall. It was a little less than an inch, but it was enough of a reminder that we need to keep ourselves prepared for a winter storm. Now, I’m not talking about:
Although, that ALWAYS happens and I find it hysterical when I get to the store and find the bread shelves are just about empty!
But, the concept is there. If you are expecting a significant amount of snowfall. Make sure you have food! We can’t survive on snow! You will want to keep at least three days worth of food and water per person. If you live in a more rural area, plows won’t get to you quickly, you will want to make that a week and a half worth of food and water per person.
Here are my top 8 items to make sure you keep on hand in case of a winter storm in your town:
- Flashlight and/or Candles – This one is a no brainer. If you get that heavy snow and you lose power? Well, you kinda need light to see :). So make sure you have one or two Flashlights
for everyone in your home. Use Candles
if you want to save on batteries and to keep your home smelling nice.
for everyone in your home. Use 
if you want to save on batteries and to keep your home smelling nice.
- Blanket
– If your heat goes out, it’s going to be a cold one! I keep three blankets in my living room and more blankets put away in the bedrooms. And you cannot go wrong with curling up on a blanket on a cold snowy day! I don’t know about you, but mine? The thicker and softer, the better!
- Books and Board Games – If the power goes out, there goes most forms of entertainment we use today. Keep books and board games
on hand for more old fashioned fun!
– If your heat goes out, it’s going to be a cold one! I keep three blankets in my living room and more blankets put away in the bedrooms. And you cannot go wrong with curling up on a blanket on a cold snowy day! I don’t know about you, but mine? The thicker and softer, the better!
on hand for more old fashioned fun!
- Important Documents – This includes your Birth Certificate, Social Security Cards, Deed to your home, Warranty information. You never know what can happen and it’s always better to be safe now than sorry later.
- Non-electric Can Opener – The food that is easily eaten without power, regardless if it’s hot or cold, is going to be canned food. If your power goes out, the can opener
will be a life saver.
- Cooler filled with ice – If your power goes out, you want to try and save as much food as you can. Although, if you’re in the middle of a huge winter storm, you could probably just throw everything into the snow and it will have the same effect.
- A full tank of gas – If you have to leave your house, you will want a full tank of gas in the event you get stuck and you need to use the gas to keep the car heated. (SIDE NOTE: If this happens to you. Make sure to keep the snow away from your tailpipe! Especially noteworthy, the chance of asphyxiation is very high with the fumes being trapped.)
- Don’t forget your furry little family members – Make sure you have plenty of pet food for them.
will be a life saver.
What would you add to this list? Have you been stuck in the house due to a winter storm for a long period of time?
Vintage Roots and Hippie Wings 
21 responses to “8 Things to Keep on Hand for a Winter Storm”
Lots of snacks is what I would add to the list. When we are snowed in, we like to hunker down with our favorite munchies.
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All these ideas are wonderful and important to remember. If you have everything in one spot makes it easier to get to incasekpowwr goes out
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Cooler with ice can really help preserve food on the storm. It also helps to have candle and non-electric tools that can help you in your needs.
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The winter storms have been rolling in the past month!! This is a great list of what to have on hand to prepare for a winter storm.
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These are great tips to be prepared for a winter storm. I always try to keep the gas tank full in the car and always have enough water/food on hand for everyone.
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Apart from food, water, blankets, torch and charging as many portable devices as possible I am not sure what I would do. We’ve never had it bad in the UK that we would be stuck for days inside
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We were definitely surprised to see all of the snow and ice here! That doesn’t usually happen here! I think you have the right ideas with that list.
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These are great suggestions of things to keep in the house. The last time we were snowed in we couldn’t find a deck of cards so board games and other games are a must!
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We just had a snow storm here in Charlotte, NC! I’m so glad I read this, now I’ll have peace of mind. Thank you!
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It doesn’t snow here in my country so I’d give anything for snow. 🙂
Your post though has been informative for me. Your list is pretty much the same with our ’emergency kits’ here whenever there are typhoons. What I’d like to add is to keep your mobile phones & power banks charged plus the radio. It’s important to be updated with the news for anything.
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interesting and informative post. thanks for the ideas
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That picture of the cat is very beautiful. I like taking pictures with snow in the background.
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We got about six inches of snow here. I didn’t have to go to the store, but I am sure they were all out of bread and milk. That’s typical here too.
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I would just add that the full tank of gas is important if you have to run your car to charge your phones. A lot of people don’t have landlines anymore. Without power, you can’t necessarily cook, so have food on hand that you can eat cold. Also, some people might need to have water available because their pump wouldn’t work to get water out of their wells (if they are not on town water/sewer). You’d need both drinking water and water to flush your toilets. We were without power for a couple of days once and it just got too cold — we had to go stay with friends. Be careful of pipes freezing if it gets too cold!
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Great list! I live in Wisconsin and we have an emergency kit in the car. My kids also bring a warm blanket in the car when are are leaving since they cannot wear their coats in their car seats. They stay toasty and warm in the car then. Winter is no fun in Wisconsin!
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This is a great reminder!! We’ve got about 3 feet on the ground and expecting another food over the next day! My hubby was able to make it to the store yesterday, so we’re prepared!
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Board games, blankets, and snacks were always essential for us haha Can’t live without those snacks!
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Yup! It is iimportant to be storm ready. You never know. I realized that when Christmas day came a few years ago and after our family dinner, there was about two feet of snow on the ground. You just never know. Canned goods and bottled water will go a long way. Keep them stored and ready for use. I am proud of myself, in a week’s time, I had one piece of bread. I am doing okay.
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Great tips, my mother is so worried about bad weather that she makes sure I have all of these items. Now that we’ve had our first official snow in the DC area these things are even more important. Extra socks, snacks, dry clothes, etc.
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I find it highly entertaining that when bad weather is predicted all the bread and milk is GONE from grocery stores. I don’t even drink milk or eat bread. LOL!
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LOL! Right??? I always the image in my mind of people pouring milk on their bread and I just have to laugh.
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