What Counts As A Blizzard?
According to Environment Canada, a blizzard has three requirements. The first is it must have sustained wind speeds of 40km/h (25 mph) or more. The second is that these winds must blow snow around to reduce visibility to 400 metres or less. The third is these conditions must last for 4 hours or more within the same system. These storms are a staple of life in Canada, and in any other country that faces more than a little snow in the winter. As with any other storm, dangers are involved when one comes to your local area, so its in the best interest of all Canadians to know how to prepare for a blizzard.
Dangers Of Blizzards
Blizzards are one of the most common types of storms in Canada. Like any storm, they can be very dangerous. Blizzards can cause whiteout conditions, hypothermia, frostbite, dangerous driving conditions, power outages, property damage, and more. Afterwards, you will probably need to shovel your snow to comply with local laws. However, there are plenty of steps you can take to prepare for a blizzard that will minimize these dangers and increase the chances that you and your family are safe before, during and after the storm passes.
Steps To Take When You Prepare For A Blizzard
As the old saying goes, “Proper planning prevents poor performance.” When you prepare for a blizzard, you should have all of this done in advance so you’re not panicking an hour or two beforehand. It is best to plan for a blizzard in the fall to give yourself maximum time, as many of these actions might take days if you are not prepared.
Minimize Travel Or Make Alternative Plans
If you were going to go to a friend or family member’s house, make a trip to the grocery store, or another trip that could be either cancelled, pushed forward, or delayed, it’s best to do so before the snowstorm hits. When you prepare for a blizzard, you don’t want to be driving when the snow is falling and the wind is blowing. If you have work scheduled, and the conditions are really bad, it might be best to consider taking the day off. When in doubt, stay home.
Ensure That Your Kids Are Calm
Young children can get scared of loud noises and storms. Before the storm starts, let them know that things will be loud for a few hours, but overall things are going to be okay. This might also mean bribing them with a treat or two as well, depending on their age and needs.
Ensure Your Roof Is In Good Order
A damaged roof could let a lot of cold air, or even snow and ice in if it gets further damaged by heavy snow and or strong winds. When you prepare for a blizzard, ensure that your roof is clear and free of damage.
Learn How To Deal With Frostbite
Frostbite can be very scary, and is a distinct possibility whenever there is a blizzard, especially if you are outside. Learning how to prevent and treat frostbite will help minimize the chances of any damage to yourself, especially permanent damage.
Get Everything You Need
When you prepare for a blizzard, you will almost certainly need a lot of the right materials and equipment. Lots of these help with getting you through the blizzard, as well as helping you clean up afterwards. Depending on the severity of the storm, there are some of these that you might not need, but it is always best to have as many as you reasonably can just in case.
Supplies To Have When You Prepare For A Blizzard
Each of the following items can be used either during or after a blizzard to minimize the damage and to recover as quickly as you reasonably can.
Shovels
When it comes to cleaning up snow after a blizzard, shovels are the most common tool used. There should be at least one for each member of your household so that everyone can contribute. Make sure that you follow all snow shoveling safety tips to ensure that you don’t cause more trouble than you fix when shoveling.
Also, keep in mind that different shovels are good at different things. It’s best to keep this in mind when shopping for shovels so that you have a different shovel for each role.
Snowblower
While a shovel is probably the most universally seen and used snow-clearing device, a snowblower is much more powerful and can be used to clear large amounts of snow very quickly. Ensure that your snowblower is well maintained, and also make sure to have enough gas ready for a full use.
Salt/Sand
While shovels and snowblowers are able to handle large amounts of snow, ice is something that these struggling with. Snowblowers, despite their sheer power, find ice almost impossible, and shovels tend to need excessive force, and might even be damaged if used to break and clear ice. Salt and sand are great ways to ensure that ice doesn’t make you, members of your family, or any passerby doesn’t trip and injure themselves.
It should also be noted that salt and ice are used in different situations, although they can be mixed. Salt lowers the melting point of ice from 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) to -10 Celsius (18 degrees Fahrenheit). Over enough time, this will cause ice to melt under the right conditions, making it much easier to shovel later. However, when it gets colder than this, sand is the better option, as it creates enough friction to drastically lower the chances of someone slipping and falling. Both of these, however, can be tracked, so be careful after stepping on either of these.
Non-Perishable Food
After a blizzard, you might not be able to leave your home for a little while. If this happens, you’re going to need food to keep you and your family sustained. Since you don’t want to buy new blizzard emergency food every few weeks, it’s best to have some non-perishables, with ones that don’t need to be cooked taking priority just in case there is a blackout.
Water
Similar to how you will need a few days of food just in case you get trapped at home for a prolonged period, you will also need water if this happens. Bottled water is best, as it is often kept at the right temperature, has very little cost, and comes in large quantities. However, any type of water is preferable to nothing.
Flashlight
Once again, there is a strong possibility that the power will go out. If this happens, you will need to be able to find things in your house, and using a flashlight is your best bet. There are many types of flashlights, both battery-operated and wind-up, that can easily work in a power outage. If you have a battery powered-version ensure that the batteries are either full over almost full before the blizzard hits so that you don’t need to change them in the dark.
Battery Operated Radio
Similar to a flashlight, a radio is something that will come in handy if the power goes out. A radio will help you keep up to date with news and other happenings outside of your immediate area. You might get a better idea of other upcoming storms if municipal help is coming, when the power is expected to come back on, and various other important information. As with the flashlight, ensure the batteries are fully or nearly fully charged before use.
Phone And Charger
Your phone is another way that you can stay up to date with news and find out what is going on outside. However, in these days of smart devices with dozens of functions, many people seem to have forgotten that you can also use your phone to call people. However, in case the power goes out, it’s important to ensure that you have a separate charger so that you can recharge your phone even if the power goes off.
Power Generator
While batteries and similar items can be used to power up your small devices, large devices, such as a mini-fridge will often require a power generator. Don’t use a generator inside. Make sure that it is used outside so that you don’t give yourself or your family carbon monoxide poisoning. There is often no warning for this, as carbon monoxide is a clear, odourless gas. Also, ensure that you have enough gas beforehand to power the power generator.
Heaters
If you’re trapped inside during or after a blizzard, heaters are a great way to keep yourself slightly warmer. However, it is important to keep heaters away from any flammable materials so that you don’t cause a fire.
Warm Clothes/Blankets/Sleeping Bags
If the power goes out, you could be trapped inside without a furnace or other heating system. This can get especially bad at night. It could get very cold, even below -40 Celsius (-40 Fahrenheit), and it could be very uncomfortable without added layers. A very thick blanket, sweaters, long sleeves, and other extra thick options for clothing and other protection can make you feel much more comfortable and prevent frostbite and/or hypothermia.
First Aid Kit
There are many ways someone might get hurt during or after a blizzard. You could get frostbite or hypothermia, get injured while shoveling snow, or hurt yourself in some other way. While there are certain points where you would need to get to a hospital, smaller wounds and issues can be handled at home with a first aid kit.
Pharmaceuticals
This is one of the most variable ones depending on your situation. If you or anyone in your family needs any type of medication, you need to stock up before the bad weather hits.
Toiletries
Remember in 2020 when people were panic-buying toilet paper? Stuff like that might happen again upon word of a blizzard. While people likely won’t be compiling for weeks, you need to prepare in advance for anything. Toilet paper, toothpaste, soup, and anything similar can help you make it through your days in a more comfortable way.
Power-Free Entertainment
No matter how bad it gets outside, if you’re stuck inside, there is still the opportunity to enjoy yourself. However, most electronic forms of entertainment are out the window. Board games, card games, puzzles, books, and similar entertainment are good options in cases like this and can be very good ways to pass the time until conditions clear up.