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Barb.b
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| Posted: Dec 05 2013 at 1:35pm | IP Logged
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OK - I live in texas and they are thinking major ice storm. Those who know - what could I do now to prepare for possible power outage besides what I have/will do: fill tubs with water, have food that doesn't need heating, plenty of blankets and coats, sprinklers off, if power goes out I will drip faucets.
Any thing else? Forgive me, I used to live in Wisconsin but been in texas too long to remember how to prepare!
Barb
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Dec 05 2013 at 1:42pm | IP Logged
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Keeping everyone in the same room.. hanging blankets over windows and to close off other parts of the house will maximize how much heat you can retain and keep a bit warmer just by having people in it. Moreimportant of course if you don't have a heat source.
Coats are warm but tend to be bulky.. layer clothes.. put leggings under jeans, and a tank top/close fitting tee under a long sleeved shirt with a sweater or sweatshirt over.. you'll feel warmer and yet less "trapped" by your clothes.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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Servant2theKing
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| Posted: Dec 05 2013 at 2:27pm | IP Logged
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Bottled water, protein bars, hand sanitizer come to mind. Battery powered flashlight(s) and radio for tracking news/weather. A corded landline phone is useful if you lose cell phone coverage or power (if you're like us and still have rural landline service).
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pumpkinmom
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| Posted: Dec 05 2013 at 3:09pm | IP Logged
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We have large three wick candles that we have on hand for power outs. Of course, this completely depends on your children; you don't want to risk a fire. They put off a lot of light and some heat. We just keep them in the room that we all gathered and we don't use them while sleeping. Extra batteries! Check outside for dangers. Trees and branches may fall, so make sure cars are parked out of the way.
I also make sure everyone has a shower right before the storm arrives. In case it is a day or longer before you have hot water again.
We are suppose to get a little bit of snow. I woke up at 4:30 this morning and thought I heard it raining and about had a panic attack since we weren't in the ice area and I wasn't prepared for ice. Turns out I was half asleep and it was just a little sleet.
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Betsy
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| Posted: Dec 05 2013 at 3:21pm | IP Logged
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Maybe consider what to do for "entertainment"!
There might be low light too, so sometimes reading is not possible.
Might want to plan some fun food too! Roasting marshmallows over your gas stove, etc.
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Dec 05 2013 at 7:44pm | IP Logged
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Tape your fridge and freezer shut as soon as the power goes out. This will prevent accidental opening of those crucial doors.
Consider getting a bag or two of ice and putting milk and other essentials into an ice chest before the storm.
Eat food in your fridge now, before the storm.
Freeze water in plastic bottles or freezer bags and jam your freezer full of those bottles/bags (leave space for water expansion!!!). The fuller the freezer, the longer the food will keep.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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mom2mpr
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Hand wipes in bathrooms!
Paper towels in kitchen. Wash all dishes and pots.
Buckets of water in bathrooms to flush when needed, if safe-no really little ones. We use yellow=mellow, brown, flush it down, rule. After checking with a parent. Yup, septic and well.
Wood for fireplace, gas up grill, gas for generator-if applicable.
All blankets on deck- find all sleeping bags and warm blankets and put in central location.
I second the bathing thing.
Hang in there
Prayers for you all. 
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guitarnan
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Cash on hand, full gas tanks in cars (in case you have to leave). Know where your matches are (but keep them away from little ones).
In case of a true emergency, communicate by text rather than by cell phone call. Your battery will last longer and your text is much more likely to get through than would a call.
Find out the contact numbers for your electric, gas and water companies and write out those numbers so you can find them easily.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Becky Parker
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Taping a flashlight or glow stick under each child's bed is a good idea. That way, if the power goes out at night they know there is a light source near by. Helps it to be less scarey.
If all you have is a cell phone, make sure it is fully charged. Having a charger for your car is good too. YOu can always charge your phone off of your car. Make sure your car is filled up with gas.
I've always thought it would be good to have a second, back up cylinder of fuel for the gas grill. It might be cold, but you can grill out if there is no other way to cook. I would try to find ways to eat hot food as much as possible. That will help keep people warm when there is no heat. Maybe a camp stove?
They say this whole ice storm is going to avoid us here in Michigan, but I don't know if I trust that idea!
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Dec 06 2013 at 7:00am | IP Logged
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Thanks Ladies!
Thankfully here we have power - hope that stays on! So kids and I are hibernating today! 1/4-1/2 inch of ice with about 4 inches of sleet on top of that (I truly think we have much more sleet then that looking out the window!). I am also thankful my 2 trees are standing (as I look at my magnolia tree - I wonder if it will survive the day though!)
Barb
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Kathryn
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I'm with ya Barb! The hardest part is attempting to convince the kiddos that we don't get snow/ice days! A bit more difficult since dh is home too. We take too many days when the weather is nice.  
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(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Dec 06 2013 at 11:57am | IP Logged
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Guilty of letting kids take a day off today! Only days we've had off are Wed, thursday, friday of Thanksgiving and one other monday once this fall. I figure the public schools take so many days off - today won't hurt! Hoping for no sick days between now and Christmas though! Anyway - DS (10) friend across the street is off today so - didn't have the heart to no let them play!
Barb
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: sooo - how prepare for ice storm
