What Have You/Will You Prep for Winter 2011?

**wanderlusting** · 09-03-2011, 02:32 PM

I stocked up on some street salt at a garage sale this summer- last two years, Germany ran out of street salt- people were using table salt LOL

It's law here to keep sidewalks and half the street in front of your house clear. So we go through lots of street salt.

-bought new all terrain tires for our SUV's (that hurt!)
-stocking up on food so if we get snowed in, I can prepare meals.
-slowly been getting together medicines we'll need (nothing worse than driving to the store at 1 am when your babies are sick!). Have Baby Advil (sells out quickly here), Dayquil, Nyquil, Pediasure, baby decongestant spray, toddler honey cough elixer, adult cough drops

Need to:
-stock up on more batteries for flashlights
-get charcoal so we can still cook/heat water if power goes out
-get a pack in DH's car. It snows heavily here in Germany-so I want an emergency pack with some essentials for DH to hike home if he gets stuck. He has a Wrangler, so it's very slim that will happen!

ETA: thanks for posting this- from other peoples posts, it reminded me to stock up on windshield wiper fluid- that always sells out here too.

**frugalfranny** · 09-03-2011, 05:14 PM

I am usually okay for food.

Was taking some inventory the other day......need more dog food for one thing and I like to have stuff (briq., fuel, etc.) for bar b q......just in case.

I would like to get one of those folding shovels for my car. And my snow shovel is till working.......but getting pretty old, might buy another if I can find a light weight one.

Usually we aren't in for too long......maybe a week max. ...when the heavy snow hits and I can make it through that.

**Libby** · 09-03-2011, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by The Muse

Since I don't have a car, I have to haul pet supplies across town on my bike. So, this year, I'm stocking up on about 150 lbs. of cat litter and 75 lbs. of cat food before the cold weather comes. Trying to ride on ice with even 30 lbs. of cat litter on the bike is not fun, and not safe.

You are a courageous woman riding that bike in the middle of winter! Thats impressive!

Originally Posted by Daisygirl

We need:

~ a method of cooking and heating in our apartment if the power goes out
~ pet supplies
~ cooking/heating fuel
~ batteries

We've got lots of food and water, candles, warm clothing, etc.

Last year we were out of power for a few days and did pretty well. Hopefully the preps won't be needed but good to have them if they are!

Are you able to scope out a clearance bbq camp stove and buy a few packs of propane tanks to go with it? Not sure how advised cooking on a propane camping stove indoors goes but it could work no?

Originally Posted by sinopa27

I need so much......ugh! I feel so overwhelmed!!

This is one of the reasons why I started this thread - this will give us time to plan, stock and prep in advance vs dealing with an emergency.

Don't fret - start planning and executing it!

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

I would like to get one of those folding shovels for my car. And my snow shovel is till working.......but getting pretty old, might buy another if I can find a light weight one.

I've tried the folding shovel one and I guess its better then being stranded but I found b/c it folded, it wasn't living up to its full potential of its lifespan as a basic shovel. I find sturdy plastic children's shovels work best (cutesy metal one with a cartoonish image on it as well as a solid plastic snow pusher type). Just thought I'd share.

**KeithBC** · 09-03-2011, 11:53 PM

We have had all our firewood for winter 2011 in the woodshed for the last year. Today, we took delivery of the final load of wood for winter 2012.

**NicJean** · 09-04-2011, 05:39 AM

From notes taken last year, I need a new snowshovel, so DH can have help out there, also need (would like) a roof rake, and a new, non-broken icescraper for the truck. If this was DH's list: a new dedicated snowplow (ours has seen better days, wipers don't work, no headlights, rear windows broken (oops with a log).

We've got the last of the firewood cut, split and stacked next to furnace (outdoor jobby ones).

**hotprincesscm** · 09-04-2011, 11:08 AM

Great thread! I live in an apartment, so the outdoor snow removal is usually taken care of, thankfully! I do have a good working shovel here to dig my car out in storms. I will be stocking up on the antifreeze winshield washer fluid.....go through so much of that stuff, with all the slush, salt and sand here in the northeast. I need to look through and take inventory of my cold/flu med supply and replace any expired or run down supplies. I think I will get one package of the icemelt/salt just to use outside both my doors just incase.....I should have a good stock of canned/dried food but couldn't hurt to get a little more. And I will also get a better supply of bottled water. We have no thermals for undergarment...and you would think living up here I would....so I think I will begin looking into a set for each of us. That way we can maybe keep are heating bill down a bit, if we dress warmer...Plus my youngest son and I are always cold...this will help out a bit. I also liked what a previous poster had said about a good warm robe to wear around the house. that would help alot too for all of us! Guess I'd better get busy!

**wheezie** · 09-04-2011, 02:49 PM

Whew-I have so much to do!

We have plenty of firewood. Dh took care of that last winter. We have enough for this winter and next winter too. (we heat solely w/ wood).

I have a decent stockpile of food, but it does need to improve. I really need to focus on canned meat. It seems I always have plenty of veggies, but never enough canned meat.

Dd11 needs a new winter coat, and possibly snow pants. We're in NC so we don't get a lot of snow, but my fingers are crossed that we get at least one really good snow this year.

I definitely need to stock up on HBA as well as first aid/medicine. I have quite a bit already, I really need to go through it all thoroughly and replenish where needed.

Finally, I need to update the BOBs and "winterize" them.

Great thread!

**MamaTreadler** · 09-11-2011, 11:05 PM

We are going to install a ventless propane heater to be more prepped for winter power outages. I don't want to put a wood stove in this particular house for a few reasons but I still want to know if we have an ice storm, we'll have some heat. I'm also always working on the pantry, just a bit more at this time of year. I ordered a few things from Honeyville last week.

**i.m.cheap** · 09-13-2011, 05:17 PM

I ordered quite a bit of food for long-term storage this week. I also bought a hand-crank grain mill. We have a single burner propane camp stove, We do need more over the counter and prescription medicines. I plan to have my Dr. write my refills for 90 days instead of a 30 day supply.

**Daisygirl** · 09-17-2011, 07:54 PM

I was able to get my meds in a 90 day supply, too. It's pricey but it sets my mind at ease to have it there.

I'm still figuring out our heat and cooking situation. I'm looking at a Big Buddy propane heater. It's portable and can be used anywhere, so when I leave my rental property it can come right along with me.

This is such a great thread - so many good ideas here!

**sinopa27** · 09-18-2011, 04:04 AM

I stocked up on those things you add to the fireplace to reduce the soot.

**daylily** · 09-18-2011, 08:29 AM

Still haven't cut the firewood. We have some logs that the DOT gave us when they cut trees to pave our road last year. Also a cousin has some logs at his house that he gave us. DH thinks Mom has enough wood for winter but we need to get some heating oil for her as a back-up.

We have to replace 700 ft of our water line from the reservoir to the house before it gets cold. We're waiting on cousin to get his excavator fixed so he can dig the ditch. We have the pipe and it's paid for.

Still harvesting beans, tomatoes, summer squash. We have to dig potatoes, harvest the field corn, apples and dried beans.

I want to prepare emergency car kits.