WINTER Storm Fern’s imminent arrival has sent the country into a panicked preparation frenzy for what’s being called a once in a generation storm.
While homeowners may have their pantries filled and emergency supplies stocked, they may want to also fill their bathtubs with water in case a major issue arises.
The seemingly strange decision serves a significant purposeCredit: Getty
If pipes freeze, homeowners could be left without a water supply through the weekendCredit: Getty
While it may seem a waste of water to fill your tubs, it could make a major difference in getting through the next few days of winter weather.
A storm as severe as Fern is liable to freeze pipes without warning as soon as temperatures hit 20 degrees, cutting off water supplies completely.
This will not only eliminate a source of drinking water, but will also make toilets useless without an alternate water supply.
Filling the bathtub before this happens can solve both problems, the latter more obvious in simply transferring water from the tub to the toilet’s tank as needed.
Although bathwater may not seem potable, it can be easily purified in a number of ways.
A water filtering jug is one option, while boiling the water for at least one minute to kill germs is another.
This source of water can also be used to clean or bathe with, as showers will also become useless once pipes freeze.
Should homeowners not set up this emergency water source ahead of time or burn through it before the storm ends, there are ways to locate and thaw a frozen pipe.
“Check the pipes by touch, feeling for very cold spots that indicate ice inside. Once you find the frozen area, warm it with a hair dryer, heat lamp, space heater, or a hot towel,” said Lances Sinclair, president of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, to Tom’s Guide .
In addition to making key preparations around the house, it’s also advisable to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary due to both how bad conditions will be and a multitude of announced and potential road closures.
What we know about Winter Storm Fern…
- Over 230 million Americans which could bring wind chills of up to -50F and over a foot of snow
- At least 14 states have , with the National Guard being activated across the country
- Homeowners have been warned to store 10 life-saving products and know the difference between Code Red and Code Blue
- The USPS has issued a mail warning stemming from the weather, and airlines are cancelling hundreds of flights
- Shoppers are rushing to grocery stores and leaving shelves completely barren as they hoard supplies
How to prepare for Winter Storm Fern
With historic ice and wind chills as low as -50°F expected, emergency officials are urging residents to focus on the u00224 P’su0022 of winter safety:
People:
Be sure to stay warm with multiple layers of lightweight clothing and also reach out to the elderly or those with medical conditions who may need help during a power outage.
Never use a generator, grill, or gas camp stove indoors and keep generators at least 20 feet away from windows to prevent deadly fumes.
Pipes:
Drip your faucets by allowing a slow trickle of hot and cold water to run, as moving water is much harder to freeze. Also, keep kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open to the circulation of warmer home air under sinks.
Wrap outdoor faucets and any exposed pipes in garages or crawl spaces with foam sleeves, rags, or even towels.
Pets:
Bring your pets and livestock inside. Ensure they have plenty of food and that their water bowls have not frozen over.
Note that salt and de-icing chemicals on roads can be toxic and irritating to animal paws, so be sure to wipe them.
Plants:
Cover sensitive outdoor plants with burlap, landscape fabric, or even old blankets.
Add a thick layer of mulch around the base of plants to help retain ground heat.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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