Emergency Tips

Colorado! Are you ready for the storm? Prepare your trees, your home and your family! Learn more.

A historic snowstorm is on its way to Colorado with the intent of giving 60″ to 90″ of snowfall as it passes through. Here are ways to prepare for the major storm before the heaviest snowfalls on Friday evening from an emergency restoration company.

Protect your Trees as We Head into Spring!

Spring snows are wet and clingy. Heavy snowflakes will cling to emerging tree leaves and blossoms. This weight can break limbs off of trees and smash tulips onto the ground. Prep your landscape for the spring snow:

  • Emerging seedlings – Protect recently seeded veggie beds by covering them with bubble wrap with the bubble side down. Place a few rocks or other objects around the edges to hold the covering in place. The layer of wrap keeps seeds and seedlings from washing away and the air inside the bubbles offers insulation to protect tiny leaves from freezing.
  • Tulips and other flowering bulbs – Cover groups of flowers with buckets, sturdy boxes, or plant containers.  This protection prevents snow from crushing the plants.
  • For peonies and small flowering shrubs – place a tomato cage turned upside down around the plant.  Then wrap the cage with fabric.
  • Avoid using plastic such as garbage bags or plastic tarps to protect plants. Plastic will not provide freeze protection.

Prepare Your Property

  • Weatherproofing your home
    • Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
    • Insulate walls and attic.
    • Install storm or thermal-pane windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside.
    • Repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on your home or other structure during a storm.
  • Test all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they work properly. Purchase, install, and test if you do not have them.
    • Keep a multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher nearby.
    • All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside.
  • Prepare your pipes ➝ read this blog for ways to prevent, thaw, and repair frozen pipes.
  • Review generator safety: Never run a generator in an enclosed space.
  • Bring all pets inside or prepare an adequate and warm shelter that will protect them from freezing.
  • Make sure to have all important snow tools ready such as a snow shovel, ice melt, and scraper.
  • If you have an ice dam prevention system, turn it on before the snow starts to fall.
  • Purchase surge protectors for appliances, computers, TVs, and other expensive electric devices.
  • Cut off all weakened or dead tree limbs if possible.
  • Do not park your car under trees.

 

Prepare Necessities

Prepare for the storm like you will not be able to travel and that the electricity is off. It is not uncommon in a severe snow/ice storm for there to be issues with the powerlines.

  • Have an Emergency Food and Water Supply.
  • Keep a supply of water bottles in case pipes freeze.
  • Keep food that requires little to no cooking.
  • Check that you have enough pet food and baby food if applicable.
  • Extra prescription medications and a first-aid kit.
  • Have plenty of dry and seasoned wood inside of the home for fireplaces or wood stoves. DO NOT keep extra wood on top of the wood-burning stove.
  • Check that you have sufficient heating fuel for your home and fuel for your generator.
  • Have a good supply of warm clothes and heavy blankets.
  • Keep a flashlight, spare batteries, and first aid kit in the home.
  • Keep a battery-powered or crank radio for news updates.
  • Portable chargers for phones.

Lastly, learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by visiting your state’s or local website so you can locate the closest warming shelters.

If You Lose Electric

  • Do not use ovens as a heat source, doing this creates a high risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • If you start a wood-burning fire, follow all fireplace or woodstove safety precautions.
  • If you have a generator, only use it outside where there is sufficient ventilation.
  • Do not let candles burn unattended, and keep them away from combustibles. Battery-powered LED lights are a safe, energy-efficient alternative to traditional candles.
  • Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing layers of warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.
  • When using heat from a fireplace, wood stove, space heater, etc., use fire safeguards and properly ventilate. If you have a gas furnace, make sure it is not blocked by a snowdrift as soon as it’s safe to go out.
  • Close off unneeded rooms to preserve heat where it is most important. Stuff rags or towels under the cracks of the doors, close blinds and curtains to retain heat.
  • Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors.
  • Avoid opening the fridge & freezer.

What Should Be in Your Car?

Avoid traveling, but if you must – keep the following in your car:

  • Portable charger and extra batteries
  • Items to stay warm such as extra hats, coats, mittens, and blankets in case you get caught in a blizzard or have car issues.
  • Windshield scraper and de-icer spray
  • Shovel
  • Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Water and snack food
  • First aid kit with any necessary medications and a pocket knife
  • Tow chains or rope
  • Tire chains
  • Canned compressed air with sealant for emergency tire repair
  • Cat litter or sand to help tires get traction, or road salt to melt ice
  • Booster cables with a fully charged battery or jumper cables
  • Hazard or other reflectors
  • Bright colored flag or help signs, emergency distress flag, and/or emergency flares
  • Road maps
  • Waterproof matches and a can to melt snow for water

After the Storm

  • Stay tuned to your local news for updated information on road conditions.
  • Check with your local water company to ensure water is safe to drink, cook and clean with after a major winter storm.
  • Check with utility companies to find out when electricity or gas services may be restored.
  • Before you drive your car, take time to ensure your exhaust pipe is clear.
  • Brush all the snow off the car so it doesn’t fall on your windshield while you are driving or fly onto other cars, causing an accident.
  • Expect blocked, closed, or icy roads.
  • Avoid sagging trees or downed powerlines.
  • For snow fallen trees: lightly tap limbs of trees with a long broom handle or extension pole so that snow falls off. Start at the lower branches so that snow shaken off the higher branches doesn’t weigh them down even more. Doing this several times during the storm may keep branches from reaching the breaking point.

If you encounter a water or fire-related emergency during these severe conditions, do not hesitate to call Restoration Management Company at 1.800.400.5058. We are on standby for you 24/7/365.

ABOUT RESTORATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY
Since 1985, Restoration Management Company has provided 24-hour restoration service for customers when they experience a catastrophe in their home or workplace. With their headquarters in Hayward, California, RMC has 10 regional locations in Northern and Southern California, as well as locations in Seattle, Washington; Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; and the Denver, Colorado metro areas. When emergency services are required RMC delivers high-quality and rapid water damage restoration as well as smoke, fire, environmental and catastrophic restoration services. We stand ready with our highly-trained, experienced, and customer-focused restoration technicians.
Restoration Management Company www.RMC.com
1.800.400.5058

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