8 Tips to Help You Get Ready for Arkansas Winters
Winter is here, and we all know that Arkansas temperatures can be wacky. It may be 50° one day and 20° the next. Below are eight tips that will help you get ready for an ice storm or other inclement winter weather systems.
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Pack Emergency Kits
It’s a good idea to keep an emergency kit on hand and know how to prepare for a winter storm quickly, should a freeze set in. Your emergency kit should have a battery-powered radio, flashlights, candles, matches, bottled water, snacks and pet food. You should also make sure you have plenty of blankets, sleeping bags and winter clothes, in case you lose heat in your home.
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Melt Your Ice
It’s good to have a big bag of salt and non-clumping kitty litter on hand, as well. Salt will melt icy stairs, and if you don’t have time to wait for the ice to melt, kitty litter will provide temporary traction.
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Keep Your Pipes Working
Leave your faucets dripping if the temps drop below freezing, and open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate. If you think you’ll lose heat for several days, drain your pipes to prevent them from bursting. You can do this by shutting off the main water valve, then turning on every faucet in your home and letting it run until it’s completely dry.
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Protect Your Food
If you know a storm is coming, set the refrigerator on the lowest setting so that it will stay cool longer. Avoid opening the fridge and freezer while the power is out.
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Get Gas
Pre-storm, gas up. That way you’ll have a full tank once the roads clear, even if weather conditions have left gas stations in short supply. Never run a gas generator indoors, since the fumes can be lethal. Generators can actually be tricky to use. Red Cross has a good guide on choosing and safely using a generator.
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Grab Your Dogs and Cats
Bring your pets indoors. They may have fur coats, but pets can freeze to death just like humans can.
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Stay Home
Avoid driving during an ice storm. It’s incredibly dangerous. If you need to drive (which you should only do in an emergency), make sure you have blankets, food, water and flashlights in your car, as well as a bag of clay kitty litter for traction, should your vehicle get stuck.
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Confirm Your Insurance
Finally, make sure your home is up-to-date in case a tree limb crashes onto your roof or some other weather-related damage occurs. Make sure your paperwork is safe and organized in case you need it.
Contact Farm Bureau Insurance
If you’re worried about your home and property not being properly covered for the effects of an ice storm, contact Farm Bureau Insurance. We’ll connect you with an agent who can help insure all of your property for storms that may happen this winter and beyond.