A massive snowstorm hit my town today and it got me thinking, thereâs this terrifying polar vortex on its way to the midwest and some people might not know what to do. This isnât going to be like a normal snowstorm, and odds are if youâre under 25 years old then youâve never experienced weather quite like this.
So, here are some important tips that youâll need to know.Â
- Do NOT leave your house unless you absolutely have to. Seriously, itâs going to be colder than Antarctica outside and Iâm not exaggerating. Windchills could hit somewhere around -55Âş.Â
- If you leave, PROTECT YOUR SKIN. Frostbite can set in within 5 minutes to any exposed skin. Wear goggles or ski masks, whatever you have to wear to make sure that little to no skin is exposed. You do not want to become hypothermic.Â
- Again, if you leave, LAYER YOUR CLOTHING. Doing this will trap the heat between you and your clothes. The heavier the layers, the better. Wear 3-4 layers of clothes if youâre outside.Â
- Try NOT to take deep breaths if youâre outside. This will minimize the cold exposure to your lungs. Also, wear a scarf over your mouth and nose. This will help heat up the air youâre breathing before it hits your lungs.
- LET YOUR FAUCETS DRIP warm water. This is gonna keep your pipes from freezing and bursting. Yes, your water bill might be a couple bucks higher because of it but thatâs a lot cheaper than having to replace all of the pipes in your home.Â
- STOCK UP ON NECESSITIES. Water bottles, batteries, candles, and nonperishable foods are your best bet. Treat this with the severity as you would with a hurricane, be prepared.Â
- GET BLANKETS. Odds are, you may lose power from the wind. If your heater goes out, youâre gonna need to stay warm. Seriously, find whatever blankets you have and keep them out just in case.Â
- KEEP YOUR TECH GADGETS CHARGED. Even if your phone or laptop is done charging, keep it plugged in for as long as you can or try to keep the battery life as long as you can. Power could go out at any second, stay prepped.Â
- If you see a homeless person, DIRECT THEM TO THE CLOSEST CODE BLUE SHELTER. Like I said earlier, it only takes minutes for frostbite and hypothermia to set in. Hospitals and schools are most likely to be set up as warming shelters for people who donât have homes or if their heaters have gone out. If youâre willing to be a good Samaritan, go with them to make sure they get there safely.Â
Stay safe, stay warm, stay alive.Â



















