Country Cabin: Five Must Haves for the Next Snow Storm

If you learn a snow storm is quickly approaching your cabin, you need to prepare beforehand. Most cabins are in the woods and away from stores in the city, so you might not be able to get the supplies you need for a few days. Many of the things you can store in the cabin are non-perishable, so you won’t have to worry about them going bad before they are used. Before your next big storm, make sure you are prepared for the worst.

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Candles and Electricity

During some snow storms, the electricity might go out, especially if there are tree limbs near power lines. Keep plenty of candles in the cabin. Mae sure you have matches or lighters on hand so you can light them. Flashlights and batteries are also a good idea. Children can keep the flashlights with them in their rooms as a safer alternative to candles. A generator is a good option, so you can keep some electricity coming to the refrigerator and to keep lights on in the cabin. Hitch City snow equipment repair in Toronto recommend keeping your plows, blowers and other equipment in a safe, dry area. You should always have lots of shovels on hand as well.

Staying Warm

country-cabin-winterThere are a few ways you can stay warm in your cabin if the worst does happen. If it has a fireplace, then use this method for heat and also to cook if you have a way to place a pot on the flames. A kerosene heater is a heating source that you can use, but you need to take care in fueling the heater, and keeping others away from it as the outer cover can get very hot. Bundle up as much as possible with clothing and blankets. You also need to keep the pipes from freezing so you have water. Wrap the pipes before winter so you don’t have to crawl under the cabin when it’s cold out.

Contact With Others

Whether you are in the cabin with family or friends, you need a way to stay in contact with the outside world. Get a television that is battery operated, as well as a radio that is battery operated. These will give you a way to stay updated on the storm and to hear of any road closures. Keep packs of batteries around so you don’t run out. Make sure your cell phone is charged at all times and that you have a signal. You might not have the best signal, but it will be a way to call someone in an emergency.

Food

Avoid keeping large amounts of food in the freezer or refrigerator. If the power goes out, then you will likely lose the food inside unless you prepare it in a day. Canned items are ideal as well as boxed items you don’t need electricity to make. Keep paper or plastic plates and disposable forks and spoons so you don’t have to wash dishes as often. Bread, peanut butter, and jelly are good items to keep on hand so energy levels stay up in both adults and children.

Before you head to a cabin, it’s wise to monitor the weather forecast to know whether there is a winter storm approaching. Planning for a snow storm is easy if you keep the proper items on hand. If you live in the cabin, it’s a little easier to stock up on supplies like blankets and food than it is if you are only visiting for a short time. Check you supplies frequently, and replace them as needed.

Erin Emanuel