How to prepare your house, pantry, car, emergency plan before arctic blast hits Austin
We're bracing for freezing temperatures starting Sunday night.
While we expect this to last a few days at most, it's recommended that you prepare for a week without power and water in case those systems fail. Here's what you can do right now:
Stock up on essentials
Multiple flashlights and batteries. Avoid candles, which are a fire hazard.
Bottled water. Keep 1 gallon of bottled water per person per day for drinking. Plan for seven days. Also have extra bottles for washing dishes and bathing.
Nonperishable food and a manual can opener. Canned meats, soups, vegetables, fruits; peanut and other nut butters; pantry snacks, granola bars, crackers.
A first aid kit with bandages, alcohol wipes, antibiotic cream, burn cream, ankle wraps, a thermometer, a fever reducer/pain reliever, and antihistamines such as Benadryl.
Medications and medical supplies. Have at least a week's worth of medication on hand at all times. If your medication has to be kept cold, have freezer packs and a cooler ready to go.
Warm clothing and blankets. Layers are your friends to keep warm.
Diapers and wipes. Have at least a week's worth.
Pet food and supplies. Keep an amply supply plus water.
Sand, salt or cat litter. Add traction to icy sidewalks and driveways if we have ice.
A battery-powered or hand-cranked weather radio.
Portable cellphone chargers.
Cash. ATMs won't work during power outages.
Medical equipment. Have a plan to power oxygen equipment and medical pumps, and keep a battery backup or backup generator.
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Get your car ready
If we have ice or sleet, stay off the roads.
Catch up on maintenance. Make sure your tires and brakes are in shape. Try to keep your gas tank full.
Prepare an emergency kit in your car. It should include:
Jumper cables.
Sand or cat litter.
A flashlight with extra batteries.
Warm clothes and blankets.
Bottled water and nonperishable snacks.
A scraper for ice on the car.
Prepare your house
Wrap pipes with cloth or pipe sleeves.
Drip your faucets to keep water flowing through pipes.
Know where your water shutoff valve is and have the right tool to turn it.
Fill bathtubs with water. If the water goes out, you'll need some to flush the toilet or to boil for cooking.
Bring plants inside and cover the outdoor plants with an old blanket.
Know where a copy of your homeowner's insurance is.
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Get a generator ready if you have one. Ensure you have fuel. Never use it indoors or too close to the home.
Seal up drafty windows and doors. Tape plastic around them or use towels to block the draft.
Get your fireplace ready. Clear off any ash. Know how to open the flue. Make sure nothing is within 2 feet of the fireplace and that it is screened off. Have proper tools, fire logs or logs, starters and a lighter.
Change the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. If you didn’t do it with the time change, do it now.
Have a communication plan ready
Charge all of your cellphones, computers and backup batteries.
Whom do you need to check on? Who will check on you? Print or write out necessary phone numbers.
Plan to be ready to leave
If it's not safe in your house because pipes burst or it lacks heat, know where you will go. Keep up to date with where emergency shelters are. Call 512-305-4233 or 311 or go to austintexas.gov.
Take your essential documents, such as insurance plans, Social Security cards, driver's licenses, passports and birth certificates. Keep them in one waterproof, fireproof case to take with you.
Find more resources
Austin American-Statesman: statesman.com
Texas A&M weather home page: tamu.edu/emergency/procedures/severeWeather.html
Ready.gov preparedness plan and other disaster resources
National Weather Service: weather.gov/safety/winter
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Safety tips to prepare your house before arctic blast hits Austin