Hey Minnesota, Use The Warm Weather To Get Ready For Winter

It has for sure been unseasonably warm in Central Minnesota, hard to imagine that we’re closer to freezing temperatures that most of us would like. We can consider this burst of warm weather a kiss from mother nature. 

With the extended warm weather, it’s a good time to make sure your winter weather plans are in place and the items you’ll need to keep you and your family safe this winter are standing by if you need them. 

What You Need To Have On Hand

Ready.gov reminds you to make sure you have enough supplies on hand in case you encounter being without power and stuck in your home for a few dayst. In your supply bounty you need to have bottles of water for drinking, cooking over a fire and if you were to need it, water to flush your toilet. 

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Remember if you have to use your grill or a generator during power outages, make sure they are positioned outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.  

Batteries are a key component to helping you survive difficult weather times. Make sure you’ve got batteries for flashlights and radios. Remember during tough weather times, local radio has been there for years and will keep on being there for residents of Central Minnesota. If you don’t have a radio in your house, now might be a good time to invest in one. 

If you need wood for fireplaces or wood stoves, it may be difficult to gather wood in the heat, but having to split or cut wood in the driving cold winds of winter when you’re all bundled up can be equally hard if not even more difficult than when it’s warm outside. 

And don’t forget there is a Low-Income Energy Assistance Program that you can contact if you’re having trouble paying your energy bills. 

Also remember to make sure you keep supplies in your vehicle which include blankets, a change of clothing, water, non-perishable snacks, sand and jumper cables. You’re also encouraged to keep a full tank of gas as often as possible. 

Minnesotans aren’t afraid of what winter brings, in fact what I’ve learned since moving here in September of 2023 is that in fact the people of this state shine during the bad weather because they are used to it. But don’t let the comfort you have in a situation cause you to miss a great opportunity to get prepared.