If you find yourself in an area with a ton of snow, it can make you feel like you are being "snowed in." While snow may be a time of joy and excitement for those who live in areas where snowfall is rare, snow can cause a lot of inconveniences. For example, too much snowfall can create slick roads, and can cause slipping hazards when walking or driving. Too much snow can turn into ice if a freezing rainfall happens. This may cause commuters to miss work by not leaving the safety and warmth of their homes. In the event of a snowstorm, it is of the utmost urgency to be prepared. Below are some tips to follow if you find yourself anticipating a snowstorm.
1. Keep an eye on the weather forecasts.
Keeping your eye on the weather forecast can give you a green light to stock up; if a weekly forecast shows a chance for snow, please take it seriously. Go to the store and buy as much needed supplies as you can. Here are some supplies that are commonly purchased during a heavy snowstorm:
-Candles
-Cans of soup
-Flashlights (if you do not already have them)
-Snow shovel (if you do not already have it)
-Rock Salt for your driveway
-Tea/Cocoa
2. Prepare your car for winter.
If you are planning to drive even if there is snow on the ground, you are a very brave soul. If you are planning on driving without any chains or studded tires, then you are crazy. If you need to drive either for your job or for commuting, then make sure that your car has chains for their tires so they have a much firmer grip in the snow. If you are not planning on driving, leave your windshield wipers up so they won't freeze or stick to your vehicle.
3. Buy some boots, gloves, and warm clothes.
Snow boots have better traction than other shoes, and definitely keep your feet warm. Wearing sneakers or other running shoes do not provide the best warmth for your feet. It would be good to invest in some heavy snow boots. Also, make sure that you have mittens or gloves that keep your hands warm. The recommended number of layers to wear is four during a snowstorm: a base layer (undershirt/t-shirt), a regular button down shirt, sweater/jacket, and overcoat. Also, if your shoes do not have good grip on the ice, you can buy these spikes that you can place at the bottom of your shoes.
4. Make accommodations.
If you still have school or work but cannot make it during the snowstorm, please check in with your teachers or your boss to see if you can work from home or meet with them outside of class hours. Usually, when a snowstorm hits, there will be an absence of people from work or school.
5. Have fun!
Most importantly, it's best to have fun in the snow. Walking around in the snow is a good workout, and building a snowman can be creative and fun. It is not everyday that you get to experience snow, so please take full advantage of it.
Being snowed in can put a damper on your professional life. Commuting is more dangerous and getting around is hard, but with taking the proper precautions, you can be able to survive the harsh brutality of the cold season. As an added bonus, here is a video of cars slipping on ice.
