If you’ve opened a weather app in the last few days, or at the very least, risked frostbite while hiking to your dual credit class, you may know that wintry weather is on the horizon for us here in Greenville. From 75° Christmases to 30° January mornings, this season has been full of ups and downs, but with the upcoming forecasts of snow and ice, here are some important reminders about snow day safety.
First, and most importantly, do not leave your house if you can help it. In these conditions, snow on the roads can refreeze into black ice overnight, making driving difficult or impossible. Snow chains aren’t the typical car accessory here in the South, and you likely weren’t required to pass a snow-driving portion on your road test, so the wisest course of action is to hunker down with some blankets and cocoa to wait out the storms.
Second, make necessary preparations for a potential power outage. The predicted amounts of sleet and ice are enough to down power lines, so some regions may be left in the dark for several hours. Charge your devices early this weekend so you won’t be caught in a blackout with a phone on 15% battery. Stock up on shelf-stable items and consume any perishables ahead of time. Pro tip: electric can openers also need electricity, so dig out Grandma’s hand-crank can opener while you still have an operational lightbulb in the basement. If you have a generator, review the manual instructions in case you need it, and never, under any circumstances, run the generator in a closed room or garage. Thawing your toes in a hot shower is not worth risking carbon monoxide poisoning.
Third, in the event that pristine, fluffy snow actually does accumulate in addition to the ice and wintry mix, brush up on your snow skills. Snowball fights, snowmen, sledding, igloos – the options for frozen fun are endless! Study the military stratagems of celebrated war heroes like Hannibal, Douglas MacArthur, and Genghis Khan so you can craft the perfect snow-ffensive. Review your notes on architectural spheres so your snowmen will live to see you drive to school later in the week, and layer on the long-johns in preparation for some terrific tobogganing.
As we look forward to the wintry weekend, it’s time to break out the flashlights, crack open a canned soup, and snuggle up in a blanket. Just remember, have fun, be safe, and flush ice cubes down the toilet for good measure!
