Winter Survival

Here is a little something I wrote for the Idyllwild Town Crier.  Hope it helps someone.

Winter Survival by Vicki Jakubac


Winter in the mountains brings to mind images of roaring fires in stone fireplaces, cute, snow covered cabins and children frolicking in the snow. However, there is another side to winter that everyone, whether visitor or local, needs to be aware of.

While winter in the mountains can indeed be beautiful and idyllic, it can also be dangerous. Preparing yourself, your car and your home prior to a storm arriving, will help you survive should a winter emergency befall us.

Some unique challenges we face here on the hill are frozen or broken water lines, power outages and dangerous or impassable roads. High winds and heavy wet snow can topple trees onto roads or houses and you can find yourself being housebound or isolated for the duration of a storm. Preparation is the key to warding off a potentially, life threatening situation.

Any time you come to the mountains to visit, make sure that you let friends and family members know where you are going to be. Power outages are common during winter storms and you cannot be sure you will have phone service or power to charge your cell phone if there is an extended outage. If you own a mountain home, it is best to keep one old fashioned corded phone in the house that does not rely on electricity to operate.

When planning a trip to the mountains, think ahead! Bring adequate amounts of the proper clothing and footwear for cold, wet, snowy weather for each person in your party. Many people are surprised at just how cold it can get during the winter and how wet snow can be. Having the proper attire and footwear will make your snow experience a more pleasant one.

Winterize your car and be sure to have a full gas tank prior to leaving for the mountains. Stock it with emergency items like tire chains, flash lights, snow scrapers, sand and a few old rugs. Make sure you have enough blankets, snacks and drinking water handy in case you get stranded in your car. And remember, if the roads are bad, it is always best to just stay home and wait until it is safe to venture out. Preventing an emergency situation is always easier than trying to rectify one.

If you are planning to stay on the hill for several days, be sure you have enough food and an emergency supply of drinking water to last through an extended power outage. People don’t always realize that if your pipes freeze, you will not have running water. With just a little forethought and preparation, you will have a much better chance of getting through whatever Mother Nature throws at you.

If you own a home here on the hill, winterizing it is the first step in preventing unexpected emergencies such as frozen or broken water pipes, which can cause leaks. Insulate all water pipes and faucets in unheated and outdoor areas before temperatures plummet. Disconnect and drain hoses from outdoor faucets allowing water to drain from the pipe. Seal off access doors, cracks and around vents. Winter winds whistling through overlooked openings can quickly freeze exposed water pipes. When you leave your mountain home, turning your water off at your customer valve is the single most important thing you can do to prevent coming home to frozen or broken water pipes.

Winter can be a magical time here in the mountains, so be informed, come prepared and you will leave with wonderful, winter memories!