Whether you are new to Southwest Indiana, or have lived here all of your life, winter is always a guessing game in our region. People who have moved here from the frigid north will be surprised at the vast fluctuations in conditions during the winter months as well as our apparent inability to deal with or be prepared for snow and ice. Transplants from milder climates, also will not understand the wild fluctuations in temperatures and join us natives in being surprised by winter storms. Even people who have lived here most of their lives never know what to expect in terms of weather from November through March. From year to year, our winters are never the same. While one year we will barely experience a dusting of snow, the next year we will be hit with back-to-back storms that leave a foot of snow on the ground and result in cancelled schools and closed businesses.
The official start of winter is less than a month away, but once the weather turns cooler, winter storms can hit before the official start of winter and sometimes can last after spring’s arrival. Sometimes in Southern Indiana, we take our typically mild winter’s for granted. Then, when more severe winter weather does hit, we are surprised and unprepared for dealing with the effects of snow and ice, and we let it disproportionately interfere with our work, school, and play. If you do not plan and prepare well ahead of time and find yourself without the right supplies and equipment on hand, the winter weather could jeopardize you and your home.
In advance of the next major snow and/or ice events, we would like to offer our best advice for getting ready for dealing effectively with winter weather. Preparing ahead of time will save you stress and energy when the storm hits and will prevent you becoming part of the wild frenzy when everyone else is hitting the store looking for supplies that can’t be found.
For the home:
- First of all, make sure you have finished your winter home maintenance checklist well ahead of real winter setting in. Last year, we published our thoughts on winter maintenance and you can find that blog here.
- Flashlights and extra batteries: sometimes when the storms are really bad, they can knock out power for a few hours or a few days. Candles can be helpful too, but flashlights are much safer and reliable. If you do opt for candles, also make sure you have plenty of matches on hand.
- Again, when the power goes out, a wireless radio is a good investment so you can keep track of the news and what is going on. If your power is out, you won’t be able to charge your phones or computers or other electronics, so you are going to be beholden to a battery powered radio.
- Plenty of blankets and winter wear to stay warm in case your heat goes out. Or, just to feel extra snug.
- If the temperature is really going to plummet (and/or if your heat goes out) you will want to protect your pipes from freezing and subsequent bursting. Keep cabinet doors below sinks open and the faucets turned to a slow drip. Running water doesn’t freeze as easily as still water. Also, keep your garage door closed. If you have time before winter sets in, make sure that the pipes in basements, attics and garages are insulated. Keep your thermostat set no lower than 55 degrees fahrenheit if you are going to be away from home for several days and keep the temperature stable during daytime and nighttime hours. If your pipes do freeze, contact a plumber before attempting to thaw them out yourself, as you might inadvertently end up bursting the pipe and wind up with significant water damage. That would be bad.
- If the weather forecast is predicting a severe storm, double check your medications before it hits. You don’t want to be caught without medication, as that can have severe health consequences, and you also want to avoid as many trips as possible when the weather is bad. Having all of your medications in good supply is an easy way to minimize the risk of being on the road.
- A 3-day supply of non-perishable food. Most people like to get bread and milk immediately before a storm and that is all well and good, but you can keep plenty of things on hand well in advance that lets you feed yourself and your family for several days. Dried beans, canned foods, pastas, peanut butter and other sundries will keep your bellies full for several days while you wait for the roads to be clear enough to safely go out without putting yourself or others at risk.
- Consider a space heater: This can help keep a part of your home extra cozy without turning up the main furnace and might also come in handy if you are nervous about your pipes freezing.
- Shovel: plastic shovels are best and you need to keep one at home as well as in your car so you can dig out as needed. Keep several on hand so you can recruit additional family members to help you.
- Ice melt and/or sand. Do not use old fashioned rock salt on sidewalks or driveways as it can erode surfaces and damage landscaping. Invest in actual ice melt which will more safely help dissipate the accumulation of snow and ice. Sand sprinkled on the driveway will just give you extra traction to get in and out.
- Boots and other winter wear: Having cold, wet feet is no fun and a pair of boots, paired with layers of thick socks will make working (or playing) in the snow much easier.
- A sled! While you are at it, pick up a sled (or two!). After all, kids of all ages find great joy in racing down snowy hills. Isn’t that the point of winter? While you are at it, make sure you have accoutrements for appropriately dressing a snowman and the right supplies for making snow cream!
For the car:
Putting snow tires on vehicles in this part of the country is not common or financially reasonable for most drivers given that some years we barely have a dusting of snow. However, when it does snow there are a few tricks that you can keep up your sleeve to make sure you can handle driving in snow and ice.
- Make sure your tire tread is in good condition. If your tires are starting to show signs of wear, it might behoove you to replace tires before winter so that you maximize traction when things get slippery. Ensure that your tires stay in good condition by rotating them regularly throughout the year.
- Also, make sure your tires are adequately inflated. Tire pressure can be drastically affected with rising and falling temperatures. When tires are properly inflated, they more effectively at maintain traction and prevent slide-offs.
- Before the winter weather hits, make sure you have serviced your vehicle with an oil change and topped off all of the fluids including antifreeze.
- When the temperatures really plummet, it is also good to make sure your fuel tank is full and not sitting close to empty.
- When you get your car serviced, make sure you have the garage double check your heater to make sure it is in working order; also make sure they inspect your battery, replace windshield wiper blades, and top off wiper fluid.
- Put together an emergency kit to keep in your car…just in case:
- Blankets
- Flares
- Tire jack
- First-aid kit
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Shovel
- Kitty litter or sand (for traction)
- Ice scraper
- Non-perishable food (in case you get stuck and get hungry!)
No matter where you live, winter weather is unpredictable. Forecasted snow-pocalypes may never come to fruition, while minor events turn major in the blink of an eye. Additionally noteworthy, in our region, like many southern states, ice storms can often affect us more negatively than snow storms, but advance preparation is key to surviving them both unscathed.
Even in wintry weather, real estate never sleeps. Real estate agents keep busy during bad weather by checking in on their buyers and sellers, attending closings, doling out advice to new homeowners, and making marketing and business plans for the spring season. If you have questions about winter weather preparedness, reach out to your favorite F.C. Tucker Emge agent and they can point you in the right direction in case you need extra help getting your home or car prepared for the next winter storm. Our agents see first hand the toll winter weather can take on their clients’ properties, and they want to help you protect your investment and keep you and your family as safe as possible.
