The first winter snow is a beautiful, magical experience; however, it’s important to be prepared for snow, ice, and blizzards in the winter months. Here’s the ultimate winter preparedness checklist to prepare you for potential winter storms.
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Is Winter Preparedness Really Necessary?
We recently had a big snowstorm in Kansas, and I was not as prepared as I would like to be! Thankfully, we did not lose power and were able to drive after a few days. Yet, it left me thinking about some items that would have been helpful to have on hand… especially if we had been snowbound for longer!
We try to live frugally and extra preparedness items seem like additional expenses for things that we may never use. However, as a mom with young children I want to make sure that we have the essentials on hand for different emergency situations.
Because of this, we are slowly building up items for emergency situations. I’m starting a preparedness series on my blog, and this one is all about emergency snowstorm supplies!
Where to Buy the Items on this Winter Preparedness Checlist
You can shop all of the items from this post in one place in my Amazon storefront. Or, you can read through the post and click on individual links for the supplies you need!
Emergency Supplies for this Winter Preparedness Checklist
In case of an emergency such as the power going out or not having access to water or transportation, here are some recommended emergency supplies.
Water: Store at least 1 gallon per person per day for 3 days (extra for pregnant or nursing mothers). If you don’t want to buy water by the gallon, this article has advice for how to store and treat water in larger containers. You can purchase a bundle of water containers like this or a smaller, portable container like this for water.
Non-Perishable Food: Canned goods, protein bars, nuts, dried fruits, and baby food or formula if applicable. I like to buy these items in bulk from Azure Standard. Read this post to learn about how I store bulk food.
Can Opener: Essential for opening canned goods! This one is highly rated, and if you can your own food, you could get a jar opener instead.
More Emergency Supplies
Flashlight: Here are some traditional battery-powered as well as rechargeable flashlights.
Candles + Matches: In the event that your flashlight doesn’t work, it can be helpful to have long-lasting candles and matches available.
Batteries: Stock up on various sizes for items you use frequently in your home. My parents gifted us this battery organizer for storage and it really helps us keep all of our batteries in one place!
Portable Power Banks: These power banks can charge phones and other devices. Here is a solar powered one in case you don’t have power! We personally have one like this that can also jump a car if needed, you just pre-charge it before use.
Battery-Powered Radio: If you are nervous about the internet going down, you can get a battery-powered radio like this to stay updated on weather conditions and emergency alerts.
First Aid Kit: Read this post for tips on what to include in a first-aid kit, or purchase a pre-made one like this.
Warm Blankets or Sleeping Bags: Make sure to get insulated blankets and sleeping bags for extreme cold in case the heat goes out. Natural fibers like wool and down are warmer, more durable, and better for the environment.
Home Preparation
In addition to emergency supplies, it is important to prepare your home in case of extreme cold–especially if your power goes out.
Backup Heat Source: Invest in a space heater with proper ventilation or wood for a fireplace if you have one.
Weather-proofing Supplies: Insulation for windows, draft stoppers for doors, and plastic sheeting like this can help keep the heat in. These supplies may not be necessary for typical blizzards, but they can be helpful in extreme cases, especially if the power goes out or if you have an older home like we do.
Generator: Make sure it has extra fuel and proper ventilation for outdoor use. This generator is highly rated and here is a more affordable one. We do not have a generator yet, but it is on our wish list for emergency preparedness items!
More Home Preparation Supplies
Fire Extinguisher: For safety with alternate heat sources. I like to keep a fire extinguisher upstairs and one in my kitchen.
Ice Melt and Sand: Even if you shovel, the ground can refreeze. Sand or ice melt can help keep walkways safe!
Snow Shovel: We moved from a place that rarely snowed and forgot to buy a snow shovel before our recent snowstorm. Learn from our mistakes and be prepared. They often sell out locally before big storms, so you can purchase one in the off-season or online.
Tool Kit: Basic tools for quick repairs. Here is a basic tool kit to have on hand.
Pipe Insulation: To prevent freezing; leave faucets dripping slightly in extreme cold. You can also get insulators like this for outdoor spigots.
Toilet Paper + Toiletries: This brings back memories to 2020 and while I don’t recommend hoarding, having some extra toilet paper and toiletries on hand can be helpful if you aren’t able to get to the store after a storm.
Clothing Items for this Winter Preparedness Checklist
Whether you’re playing in the snow or trying to stay warm if your power goes out, here are some warm clothing items to have on hand. You can read this post for a full list of recommended snow gear for babies and kids.
Thermal Layers: Base layers, sweaters, and fleece for warmth. Wool is one of the warmest options, and merino wool is soft unlike traditional wool which can feel scratchy. You could purchase merino wool thermals, long underwear, or bundle up on layers of fitted clothes you already own under your snow gear!
Snow Bibs: Snow bibs like this are helpful if you need to go outside to shovel your driveway or take care of outdoor animals.
Winter Coats: Make sure your coats are insulated and waterproof. If you’re looking for the perfect winter coat for blizzards, I highly recommend this long down parka from Quince. Read my full review of this coat here.
Hats, Gloves, and Scarves: Make sure to have multiple sets for layering or backup if the ones you have get wet. If you sew, I love this beanie sewing pattern from Lowland Kids!
Wool Socks and Waterproof Boots: It is important to keep your feet warm and dry. Investing in warm wool socks and waterproof snow boots is important!
Baby Coat: If you have a little one, a full-body baby coat or snowsuit can be helpful in keeping your little one warm. They can’t wear coats in their carseats, but it can be helpful to have for walks outside or if your heat goes out inside. Just make sure to dress your baby in layers and check that he or she is not overheating.
Vehicle Preparedness for this Winter Preparedness Checklist
Even if you don’t think you’ll have to go anywhere, it is best to be prepared in case you have to travel or if you get stuck when driving.
Full Tank of Gas: Having a full tank helps keep the fuel line from freezing and keeps you ready for emergencies. You can use a portable tank like this to keep extra fuel in your garage.
Ice scraper and snow brush: Make sure you have one in each car. The brush is helpful for removing snow, and the scraper can help remove difficult ice!
Jumper cables or jump starter: We recently got one like this that can be used without another car.
Blankets and extra warm clothing: If you are making a trip in the snow, make sure to throw in some warm blankets and extra clothing in case you get stuck.
Non-perishable snacks and water: Keep a few pre-packaged snacks and drinks in the back of your vehicle in case of an emergency. I like these car organizers which help keep the items accessible when needed.
Flashlight with extra batteries: A flashlight like this is a must-have especially if you are traveling at night!
Sand or cat litter: These may be helpful for getting traction if you get stuck.
Flares or reflective triangles: In case of an emergency, flares or reflective triangles can be helpful to have.
First aid kit: Read this post for advice on first aid kit essentials to include.
Tires: Ensure before a storm that your tires are winter-rated or have adequate tread.
Communication
Having different forms of communication can be helpful to prep before a storm in case you need to check on family, friends, or neighbors.
Charged Phones: Make sure you have cords and backup power banks.
Emergency Contacts: Keep a list of family, friends, and local emergency numbers.
Walkie-Talkies: You can use walkie-talkies like this for communication if cell towers are down.
Pet Preparedness
If you have pets or farm animals, it’s important to have essentials for them before a winter storm.
Food and Water: Have at least 3 extra days’ worth of food and water. We love using Scratch + Peck Feed for our chickens because it has extra protein to support them during the winter! Use my code THEMILLERACRES15 to save.
Warm Bedding: Insulated or fleece-lined bedding can help keep dogs or cats warm.
Pet Booties and Coats: If your pet doesn’t have a thick coat, a pet coat like this can help keep them warm on outdoor walks.
Litter Supplies: If you have cats, make sure you have extra litter supplies before a snowstorm.
Heater: If you have chickens and their coop isn’t insulated, you could use a heater like this for their coop and one like this for their water. So far, we just break up the ice in their water and add fresh water several times a day, but this is a lot of extra work that a heater could prevent! Just use precaution because they can be a fire hazard.
During the Blizzard
In addition to the checklist above, here are some tips for staying safe during a blizzard.
Stay Indoors: Avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. This will keep you safe and limit extra work for first responders.
Monitor Updates: Use a weather radio or apps for the latest information. Take precaution before traveling. If it isn’t an emergency, it isn’t worth the risk in most situations!
Stay Warm Safely: Use heating sources responsibly to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. This post has advice on how to stay safe with heat sources in the winter.
Avoid Overexertion: Take breaks when shoveling snow to prevent injuries. Also, watch out for ice when shoveling.
After the Blizzard
Clear Snow Safely: Start with walkways and driveways, and avoid piling snow near your house foundation. Here is a highly-rated snow shovel.
Check for Damage: Inspect your home and vehicles for issues like frozen pipes or roof damage. If you have frozen pipes, contact a plumber as soon as possible.
Restock Supplies: Replenish anything used during the storm. This way, you will be prepared for future emergencies.
Consider Neighbors: Check in on your neighbors, especially elderly neighbors who may be more likely to slip and fall. You could offer to help them shovel their snow or share some of your emergency supplies.
Enjoy the Snow: Once it is safe to get outside, enjoy the beautiful snow! This post has 113 snow day activities for kids!
Saving Up for this Winter Preparedness Checklist
As I mentioned above, if you are frugal or on a tight budget, spending extra on emergency supplies may be hard to swing. While we are working toward building up our emergency supplies, we do not currently own everything on this list! We are adding to our supplies gradually and focusing on the necessities first.
Some ideas to help you save money are to only buy the necessities, to shop secondhand, shop sales after the winter season is over, and to add to your stash over time like I mentioned above.
In conclusion, it is important to be prepared for emergency situations, especially in the cold months. This winter preparedness checklist will prepare you for potential emergencies for the winters to come!
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