Here’s how to winterize your home and car to be ready for Kansas City snow storms
While Kansas City winters can be relatively mild, it’s not usual to be smacked with a snowstorm or two, or five, each winter. Though we’ve been through it before, are you prepared to weather a storm this season? There are steps you can take to make sure you and your family are as safe and stocked as possible.
Here are some tips to make your home and vehicle winter ready before the flurries get serious.
Prepare your car
Commuting during the storm can be dangerous. Winterizing your car in case of an emergency can keep you and your loved ones safe.
For starters, make sure to keep a full tank of gas in the car. It’s also important to check other fluids and the car’s air pressure as well. If you need an oil change, this is also a good time to get these things looked at.
If you have extra time, have a professional look at the car battery, tire tread and brakes as these need to be in good shape during severe cold weather as well.
Lastly, making sure those rear windshield wipers are working properly can help you stay safe while driving.
Having an emergency supply kit in your car will come in handy during a storm too, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
That supply kit should include jumper cables, a flashlight and batteries, warm clothes and extra boots, blankets, snacks and an ice scraper and shovel.
Prepare your home
In the case that you get snowed in, it’s also important to keep several days worth of supplies in your home. Emergency food supplies should include non-perishable goods like fruits and vegetables.
FEMA also recommends that people grab water bottles, high protein foods, dry cereal, dried fruit, peanut butter and infant food. Make sure to also have a good supply of medication and pet food.
Other tips for winterizing your home include boarding up your AC unit, replacing your furnace filters and checking for any air leaks or drafts by your windows.
There are a few fixes if you are losing heat due to air leaks. One is closing air leaks in your windows with caulk. Another quick and cost-effective option to reduce drafts is applying a plastic wrap on windows. You can also seal windows with weatherstripping or install exterior storm windows to help with heat loss.
In some cases, it may be necessary to check your heating system or your home’s insulation for repairs. Although some of these issues may require more time and attention there are a number of programs in Kansas City that can help with the costs of repairs and replacements due to weatherizing your home. Check here to learn more.
If you have any alternative heating options in your home, it’s also time to make sure those are functioning properly, according to the Missouri Department of Public Safety. These kind of alternatives include fireplaces and woodstoves, kerosene heaters. If you have one of these options in the home, make sure you have the correct fuel and tools to keep them running, make sure the home has proper ventilation and that there is a working carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home.
Checking for frostbite and hypothermia
It is best to stay inside during a major winter storm, but sometimes life will still require us to venture out into the cold. If you find yourself outdoors during dangerous weather, it’s important to bundle up.
People should wear multiple layers of loose fitting, warm clothes. Folks should also cover their mouths and ears. As for the hands, mittens that are tight at the wrist are better than gloves, according to the National Weather Service.
When outside it’s best to avoid the wind and getting wet.
If you or a family member is outdoors, knowing the signs for frostbite or hypothermia can be lifesaving.
Signs of frostbite include loss of feeling in the parts of the body, including the face, fingers and toes, according to FEMA. If someone is experiencing these symptoms, they should go to a warm room and soak in warm water. Avoid using a heat pad or massaging the area.
Hypothermia, on the other hand, involves shivering, memory loss and slurred speech, to name a few symptoms. In this case, the person should go to a warm room and try to warm the center of their body first by wrapping up in warm blankets.
This story was originally published January 31, 2022 at 1:01 PM.
