Snowmageddon Safety Tip

We are in the beginning stage of Snowmageddon here in the 'Ville.  It started after midnight, and we have 2 or 3 inches on the ground here at The Compound, and by the time the storm is through late tonight, we are expecting a foot of snow.  Editor's note:  when I go out this morning to get the newspaper and to clear the back porch ramp, I will take a ruler out to the yard and get a precise early morning measurement.  

So, we're a few hours into Snowmageddon.  On top of this, there are single-digit lows in the forecast all week, and on a couple of days, single-digit highs. It's not too late to start preparing for this. We all think that nothing will happen and we'll make it to/from work OK. But on Saturday, a dear friend was glad she had an emergency kit in her car. She lives close to Columbus, and was on I-70 when ahead of her, there was a huge wreck involving a couple of semi's and 25 cars happened that shut down the interstate for over 7 hours. She is a diabetic, and has the insulin pump implanted, but thanks to her planning and preparedness, she made it through the ordeal just fine. She had blankets, proper food, water, and her cell-phone charger in the car with her.

or those that will be going to work today (and the rest of the week), there's a few things you need to get together tonight and take with you. 

1. A couple of blankets
2. Some bottles of water. Wrap some aluminum foil around them before you put them in your car and they will be less likely to freeze. Or else, just put them in a bag and take the bag inside your office when you get there. But remember to bring the bottles with you when you go home.
3. Some packages of peanut butter crackers, granola bars or similar protein bars
4. If you are crazy and don't wear them in the snow, take a pair of snow boots with you
5. A flashlight with batteries that work
6. Make sure your cell phone is charged up before you go to work and before you leave work to come home
7. A small shovel
8. Remember if you are stuck on the road, only run your car for 10 minutes every hour.

t's not too late tonight to put together an emergency kit to keep at the office just in case. If we get a foot of snow today like some of the weatherazzi are calling for, there are going to be a lot of people that will opt to stay at work instead of trying to get home. Here's some things you can easily get together this morning before you head out:
1. At least a 2-day supply of any prescription and OTC meds that you take daily
2. A pair of sweats and a couple pair of socks in case you have to sleep in your office (you want to be as comfy as you can)
3. A couple cans of soup and a couple packets of instant oatmeal or something that you can easily heat up in the office lunchroom microwave
4. Your cell phone charger
5. Contact lens saline solution and contact lens case if you are a contact lens wearer and a pair of glasses
6. Grab one of the blankets that hopefully you will have in your car emergency bag
7. A couple bottles of water
You will probably think of other things you'd like to put in your emergency bag, but these are basics that will get you through. 

Stay safe.