The season of snow and ice is right around the corner
TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
After snowflakes were spotted in the area recently, residents were reminded winter is right around the corner, and it’s time to get ready. Then Mother Nature graced the Merrill area with about four inches of snow Saturday night into early Sunday morning and the reminder got a bit more intense. Though most of that precipitation will likely melt this week, the white stuff will soon be here to stay for a few months.
On Nov. 11, Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed Nov. 15-19 as Winter Awareness Week in Wisconsin.
There’s no doubt the coming snow, ice, and sometimes frigid temperatures will change the way we go about our daily lives. Use these handy checklists to get ready now, before the winter elements hit with full force:
Home preparation
• Pack up the patio. Put outdoor lawn furniture and cushions indoors or cover them with a heavy-duty cover and ensure they won’t tip over or blow away.
• Clean out planters, plant any bulbs for spring blooms, rake or mulch leaves, cover temperature-sensitive plants and bushes, and protect trees and bushes from nibbling winter critters.
• Clean your grill for the season, remove/store the tank, and pack it away or cover it.
• Drain outdoor hoses and faucets and turn off the water supply or install faucet covers to help prevent frozen pipes.
• Check your roof and gutters. Secure loose shingles. Fix broken gutters. Assess any areas where ice typically builds up and take steps to fix the problem now.
• Clean out and cover your air conditioning units. Remove leaves and debris and cover them to protect them from snow and ice. Remove window units for the season if feasible.
• Get your furnace professionally serviced.
• Stock up on furnace filters.
• Check your home for any gaps, cracks, or inefficient windows that may allow cold air into your home and seal them.
• Ensure your home is properly insulated.
• Put fresh batteries in carbon monoxide detectors and check to ensure they are working properly.
• Likewise, if you didn’t change the batteries in your smoke detectors when you turned back your clocks, do so now and test them to ensure they are also working properly.
• If you have a wood burning stove or fireplace, check the chimney and get it cleaned, if necessary.
• Fill your fuel oil or natural gas tank and/or stock up on firewood – ensure you have an adequate fuel source.
• If you use space heaters or other free-standing heating units, be sure they are well away from curtains or other flammable objects that could ignite and catch fire.
• If you have a generator, be sure it is in good working condition and you have adequate fuel on hand in case of a power outage.
• Even if you don’t have a generator, plan ahead for what to do if your furnace goes out or if you lose power.
• Prepare and keep an emergency kit in your home. Ensure you have an adequate supply of warm sleeping bags and blankets and stock your emergency kit with flashlights and batteries, candles and a lighter, and a battery operated emergency weather radio. Stock your pantry with non-perishable food items that don’t require cooking and extra water.
Snow removal preparation
• Replace any worn or broken snow shovels.
• Stock up on salt, sand, or kitty litter to combat the ice on sidewalks. [The Northcentral Wisconsin Stormwater Coalition reminds residents to “Be Salt WIse!” and to reduce winter salt use to help protect our lakes, streams, and drinking water. Learn more at www.wisaltwise.com.]
• Make sure your snow blower starts and is tuned up, or take it in for a tune-up/service before you need it.
• If you’ve been planning to purchase a snow blower, do that now, in advance of the first big snowstorm.
• Purchase a snow rake to remove snow from your house or garage roof while standing safely on the ground.
Automobile preparation
• Be sure you have good winter tires on your vehicles, suitable for driving on snow and ice.
• Stock up on Heet or your preferred fuel additive to keep water out of your fuel line and prevent freeze-ups. Always fill up on fuel before your gas tank dips below half empty.
• Consider having a remote starter installed on your vehicle so you can start it and let it heat up on cold days, before you venture out to get into it.
• Clean and detail your automobile now, before a carwash could result in doors being frozen shut.
• Prepare and keep an emergency kit in your car. Be sure to include blankets; a flashlight and batteries; an auto cell phone charger; nonperishable snacks that won’t freeze in a solid chunk or break your teeth if you bite into them frozen; warm socks and boots; extra gloves, hats, and scarves; a snow shovel in case you get stuck; a snowbrush and scraper; and sand or kitty litter for traction on icy roads if needed.
• Remember to drive distraction-free, slow down according to road conditions, and let others know where you are traveling and when you expect to arrive. Don’t forget your Wisconsin winter driving skills!
Forewarned is forearmed
Pay attention to the weather in winter. Check the weather forecast daily so you can prepare in advance for winter storms by stocking up on groceries and supplies. Check road conditions before heading out. You can get travel conditions for most major roadways using 511 Wisconsin (there’s an app for that, it’s on Twitter, or go to www.511wi.gov). If you don’t need to be on the roads during bad winter weather, stay home.
A recent press release from ReadyWisconsin cited the following statistics:
• According to the National Weather Service, Wisconsin experiences an average of three to six winter storms during the season. Last winter, the city of Hurley in Iron County received the highest one-day snowfall of 14.0 inches on Dec. 24, 2020. Land o’ Lakes in Vilas County recorded 83.2 inches of snow last winter, giving it the highest seasonal snowfall total in the state. The coldest temperature recorded in Wisconsin was -41 degrees Fahrenheit on Feb. 15, 2021 in Barnes, located in Bayfield County.
• Ice and snow on the roads remain a major threat to drivers throughout the state each winter. Between 2016-20, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Wisconsin says the state averaged about 41 fatalities and 3,950 injuries each year due to winter driving conditions.
For more tips on getting ready for winter weather, visit the ReadyWisconsin website at https://readywisconsin.wi.gov/.You can also follow ReadyWisconsin on Facebook and Twitter for tips throughout the winter months and updates on dangerous weather conditions.
