01/25/2026
As we sit here in the thick of this snow storm I thought it would be a great time to share a few tips on what to do to get prepared/get through a storm like this especially if you are a first time homeowner in your very first storm in your new home or if you've moved here from a warmer climate and have never experienced something like this before or maybe your a renter and still want to try to prepare/get through any way you can. Some of these suggestions may be a little late to do now depending on where you are and how bad the weather is in your area but it's always good to know for the next storm none the less.
1. Always try to have a back up heat source. (Something other than electric heat sources like propane heaters or wood or coal stoves are always great to have in your home even if you don't use it regularly having it there in case of emergency is always a good choice especially because some options like wood or coal stoves you can cook certain foods on if you lose power. )
2. Have everyone take a shower or bath. ( While you still have power especially kids should get a quick shower or bath in case you lose power and can't for a few days.)
3. Fill your bathtub with cold water (After everyone's gotten cleaned up from their shower/bath fill your tub with water in case you lose power so you can still use that water to fill a pitcher or bucket to dump down toilets to flush them.)
4. Fill extra bottles/pitchers with drinking water.( Again in case you lose power and running water you'll still be able to have drinking water. Just be sure to tell your kids/family members not to drink out of them as they are for emergency.)
5. Stock up on key food items ( Everyone always says to stock up on milk bread and eggs, but you should always get items that you can cook over open flame or on top of a wood/coal stove. Things like canned beans, spam, butter, oil, hot dogs, sausage hamburger etc. Foods you would normally be able to cook in a skillet on the stove top )
6. Cook food while you have power( cook meals while you still have power that could be warmed up on top of a wood stove/coal stove or open flame. )
7. Stock up on candles/oil lanterns and lamp oil refills. (Available at Walmart , Cole's and other local stores a candle is a great option to have a couple candles around however a couple oil lanterns are a better option as they provide brighter light. Just be sure to keep them away from flammable things and set them somewhere stable and away from young children.)
8. Charge all your devices (to be sure that you or your kiddos have things to watch or play on keep your devices on the charger as much as possible. )
9.Have board games or other non technology items in your home. (A snow storm can be a great time to play games with your family or read a good book or just get outside and play in the snow!)
10. Be sure to have first aid kits, bandages and your standard medications like Ibuprofen, cough medicine etc. in case someone in the home gets injured or has a fever or any type of common sickness.
11. If you can install a hand pump well cap on your well pipe it makes it less stressful to install one and have a way to water animals like chickens goats or other livestock or household pets even when there's no power and even in extreme times water for yourself. Just be sure to put a large bucket or trash can over it to keep it from being buried in deep snow.
12. Fill up your propane tanks and gas tanks. Stock up your wood piles or coal bin!!!
I hope these helped! Everyone stay safe and enjoy the snow with your families.
Looking to buy or sell real estate let me know Im here for all your real estate and notary needs!
Cassandra Snook(Licensed Realtor and Notary Loan Signing Agent)
Iron Valley Real Estate Mid Penn
C. 570.452.4112
O. 570.884.8624 ( Be sure to ask for me!)
