Winter Weather Tips

I'm a planner so here is my list of how I prepare for winter storms. This current one January 2026 is leaning toward more ice. I survived 23 hours trying to get home during snow jam (2 inches of ice) so at least we all should be ready IF this happens and hopefully everyone is home.

For winter weather the main concern is usually ice. In Atlanta it weighs on power lines or causes many of our beautiful trees to fall which also pull down power lines. Some friends last big ice storm didn't have power for a week so just always prepare, its rare but better to be prepared.

**affiliate links but own almost every item myself.

1. Have food you can eat, store or cook without power.

suggestions: cereal, applesauce, fruit etc.

2. Have a week of prescribed medicines

3. Have items for pets (food, litter items), medicines

4. Fire wood if you have fire places

5. Power source

6. Flashlights I love these and have one per person ( make sure you have enough batteries too) https://amzn.to/4a0ZmMV

7. Solar phone chargers leave outside to charge it. We have one per person ( I tell my teen when its out that's it. https://amzn.to/4632y8e

8. Love these hats for walking outside with the dog (no power no street lights) https://amzn.to/4pKGp5J

9. Cash! no power no way to charge (some stores open with cash only)

10. FiIl your car with gas (you can charge phones or get heat)

11. Have extra blankets on hand

12. Make sure you have plans if you can’t reach older relatives that they have everything they need. Check on older neighbors and help them be prepared.

13. Make it fun for kids as they sense if you stress. Maybe get some new games to play in the day and pretend to be camping if power goes out.

14. We have this as my husband will die without coffee. lol https://amzn.to/4bsN6WT

15. Lets Pipe drip at night and open cabinets for them to get more heat.

16. Cover outdoor faucets https://amzn.to/3Nxmda8

17. I know more for your to do list, but do laundry now as no power, no washer

18. Get gloves, hats, shovels, sleds for the kids for snow. Always remind them of safety rules and be careful where the sled could end up. ours hit a brick wall one year as it gained speed, luckily the bush broke the fall and everyone laughed but still gives me nightmares of what could have happened to the kids.

If you have power out their clothes and gloves in drier for 5 mins before they go out and they are nice and warm!

Sled https://amzn.to/49vzsAL

fun snow ball https://amzn.to/3NCmfxq

brick maker https://amzn.to/3LU9qOA

19. Salt or kitty litter for driveway. I make sure all our cars are faced out so they don’t need to turn around in ice and get stuck.

20. Have water bottles. (pipes burst you will have to turn off water)

21. Wine for moms! Lol

22. first aid kit and normal over the counter medicines handy. Hard to find with a flashlight.

23. Download movies to ipad. No power no wifi

24. Charge every device you may need.

25. Glow stick are fun for the kids. We even put them in the bathtub. It helps make it fun for kids in a stressful time. https://amzn.to/4jLEV9W

26. These are amazing. Pop them open and about 30 mins later they are warm. I hold in hand and place in pockets to stay warm. They last I think 12 hours. https://amzn.to/4qYPxoh

27. Paper Products napkins, paper towels, paper cups, paper plates, plastic silverware

( no power no dishwasher and you don't want your hands to freeze doing dishes.)

28. Make a hot cocoa stand for the kids playing in the snow! So stock up for supplies

coca https://amzn.to/3Ntbs8Q

cups https://amzn.to/4jMUKxc

thermos https://amzn.to/4pObSnK