Don’t Be Left Out in the Cold—Get Ready Before the Snow Arrives!

Part 1: Everyday Essentials, Snow Supplies, and Your Car

Fall is here, and we’re enjoying cooler mornings, colorful leaves, and everything pumpkin. But while we’re thinking about autumn, there’s another season we should be getting ready for: winter.

Think back to last winter—the scramble for supplies before the storm, the empty shelves, and the ice that seemed to hang around long after we were ready for it to leave.

I see it every year. Snow enters the forecast, everybody rushes to the store, and suddenly the basic things you need are hard to find. By then, you may be choosing from whatever is left instead of getting what your household actually needs.

Why wait for that rush? Start preparing now, while you have time to shop, compare prices, and spread purchases over several weeks.

1. Stock Up on the Everyday Essentials

When people hear “snowstorm,” they often think about bread and milk. But being stuck at home means you’ll need more than something for breakfast.

Take a look at the things your household uses every day:

• Toilet paper, tissues, and paper towels.
• Soap, toothpaste, and personal hygiene products.
• Diapers, wipes, or other supplies your family needs.
• Trash bags and basic cleaning supplies.
• Prescription medicines, vitamins, and daily health supplies.

Don’t wait until you’re nearly out of medication to think about a refill. Ask your pharmacist about keeping a reserve, such as a two-week supply where permitted. Planning ahead can help you avoid having to venture onto icy roads for something you need.

Then think about food. Keep a little extra of the foods your family regularly eats, including shelf-stable options and things you can eat without cooking. Soups, beans, canned foods, nut butters, and familiar snacks can help round out your supplies. Remember a manual can opener, too.

Maryland’s winter preparedness guidance recommends keeping at least three days of nonperishable food and water on hand. Have extra drinking water for everyone in your household, including your pets.

And while you’re making that grocery list, check the dog food, cat food, and any other pet supplies. An almost-empty bag is easy to overlook until getting to the store becomes difficult.

You don’t have to buy everything at once. Add a few extras to each shopping trip, check expiration dates, and rotate them into regular use.

The goal is to have a reasonable cushion. If we have a mild winter, you’ll still use the food, soap, toilet paper, and other everyday items you bought.

2. Get Your Snow and Ice Supplies Now

Do you have a snow shovel—and is it still in good shape?

If yours broke last winter, or you remember struggling to find one before a storm, now is the time to replace it. The same goes for ice melt, an ice scraper, warm gloves, and winter boots.

Check what you already have before buying more:

• A sturdy snow shovel.
• Salt or ice melt suitable for your walkways and surfaces.
• A snow brush and ice scraper for your car.
• Warm gloves and boots with good traction.

Follow the directions on your ice-melt product, including any precautions for surfaces, plants, and pets.

Think about where you’ll keep these supplies, too. Can you reach your shovel without first crossing an icy yard? Is your ice melt somewhere dry and accessible?

If clearing snow is difficult for you, arrange help before a storm is on the way. Whether that means a neighbor, family member, or snow-removal service, having a plan now saves you from trying to find someone when everyone needs help at once.

Consider the areas you’ll need to clear: your front steps, walkway, access to your car, and a short route for your dog’s bathroom breaks.

A little planning now can make those first snowy mornings much easier.

3. Give Your Car a Winter Check

Your home isn’t the only thing that needs preparation. Your car deserves a little attention before temperatures drop, too.

Keep at least half a tank of gas, and aim closer to full when winter weather is forecast. Don’t leave filling up until the same time everyone else is heading out for storm supplies.

Check your tire pressure when the tires are cold, using the recommended pressure on the driver’s door label or in your owner’s manual. Look at tire condition and tread as well.

Then check your windshield washer fluid. You can go through it quickly when salty road spray keeps coating your windshield. Fill the reservoir with winter washer fluid rated for the temperatures you expect, and keep an extra bottle on hand.

A few more things to check:

• Wiper blades: replace worn blades that leave streaks.
• Defrosters: make sure they’re working properly.
• Battery: have it checked before cold weather arrives.
• Coolant and antifreeze: make sure the level and mixture meet your vehicle’s requirements.
• Lights: check headlights, brake lights, and turn signals.

Keep a small winter emergency kit in the car, too. A blanket, flashlight, jumper cables, phone charger, ice scraper, and a few shelf-stable snacks are useful basics.

Being prepared doesn’t mean you have to go out when conditions are dangerous. It means taking care of these things before the weather catches you by surprise.

Start With a Few Things This Week

Walk through your home, check your supplies, and take a look at your car.

What ran out last winter? What was hard to find? What do you wish you had bought sooner?

Put a few of those things on your next shopping list. Small steps now can save you money, worry, and a last-minute scramble later.

Enjoy fall—but give yourself a head start on winter. When snow enters the forecast, you’ll be glad you already thought about the shovel, the water, the everyday essentials, and your car.

“Take a few simple steps now, and when winter weather arrives, you can spend more time enjoying the comfort of home and less time scrambling for supplies.”

But what about your pets’ winter routine, keeping the children busy, and what you’ll do if the electricity goes out? Check back next week for Part 2, when we’ll talk about planning for those days stuck at home.

Lynn Nichols, Realtor® | MRP
KW Flagship
MarylandHomesByLynn.com

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