
Feeling the Chill? How to Prep for Upcoming Arctic Blast in Michigan
We're used to cold winters and snowy weeks in Michigan, so to tell you it's going to be cold outside next week would sound like a fact instead of a warning. But, meteorologists are warning that severely cold weather in the earlier half of the week could cause you headaches if you're not fully prepared.
Preparing for an Arctic blast takes a bit of thoughtful planning, but it’s worth the effort to stay safe and comfortable when the temperatures drop.
Here are some practical tips to help you get ready for the extreme cold:
1. Protect Your Home’s Plumbing: Frozen pipes can cause major headaches. To prevent this, consider turning off your home’s water at the meter and draining all the faucets. This ensures there’s no water left in the pipes to freeze and cause bursts.
2. Dress in Layers: When it’s this cold, layering is key. Wool garments and hats are especially good at retaining body heat. Pro tip: wearing a hat to bed can make a big difference in keeping you warm on those frigid nights if you have problems with heat, or the power goes out.
3. Prepare for your Pet's Safety: Don’t forget about your furry friends! Bring pets indoors or make sure they have an insulated shelter. For feral cats, try lining their shelters with reflective insulation to keep them warm, and offer warm water when possible.
4. Stock Essential Supplies: Make sure you have non-perishable food, water, medications, and batteries ready. Having these on hand means you won’t need to venture out in the freezing weather unless necessary, especially if you have older or younger family members who may not handle the cold as well.
5. Stay Informed: Keep an eye on local weather updates and advisories. Knowing how severe and long-lasting the cold will be helps you stay one step ahead.
6. Get your things that can freeze, inside: If you're like me and you have random bottles of water or containers of things around, you'll want to make sure they don't blow up inside your car or garage. Canned things especially will have a hard time in this weather, so save yourself the mess and bring them in. Also, salt before it gets too cold, because if your steps ice over- you won't be able to fix that until it warms back up again.
7. Prepare your vehicle: If you have to travel for work, or any other needs- you'll want to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. It's smart to make sure your vehicle has blankets and non-perishable food/snacks. Since salt stops working on roads when the temperature gets below 15 degrees, roads could be problematic if it snows. Black ice could be anywhere, especially after our recent warm snap.
By following these steps, you’ll be better prepared to stay safe and comfortable during the Arctic blast heading our way. Speaking of things you shouldn't leave in your car...
Don't Leave These 6 Items in Your Vehicle When it's Freezing
Here Are the Tips You Need to Fight Freezing Weather
Gallery Credit: Joe Cunningham