Be safe during severe weather

Old enough to remember the blizzard of ’78? Then you know how to handle the bad weather ahead.
If 1978 was before your time, you might remember Christmas of 1983. That’s the last time the mercury dipped down to levels equivalent to those forecast for Sunday and Monday.
Or maybe you’re young enough that the arctic weather ahead is new to you.
In any case, it makes sense to be prepared for what’s being predicted.
Make sure you have enough essentials in the pantry and refrigerator so that you don’t have to venture out into the cold. That includes not just canned soup but prescription medication as well.
And if you do have to venture out, bundle up like you’ve never bundled before, making sure to cover exposed skin when dealing with sub-zero temperatures.
If you’re shoveling snow, take it easy. Pace yourself. You’ve got all of 2014 ahead of you; no need to cut the year short so soon.
Inside the house, keep a trickle of water running at all times. Temperatures that low can freeze pipes that haven’t frozen before. Running a trickle of water is the best way to prevent your pipes from freezing. The extra pennies on your water bill are a small price to pay when compared to calling the plumber.
Before the worst of the weather hits, check on your neighbors, particularly the elderly living alone. Make sure they’ve taken the necessary precautions.
Do all that, and you can settle into a weekend of NFL playoff action with peace of mind.
And while there’s nothing you can do to stop the cold from coming, at least you’ll have a story to tell when older folks start reminiscing about the grim winter of 1978 or the brutally cold Christmas of ’83. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]