Especially if this is your first time living off-campus, there are certainly some things you need to know about getting yourself prepped for the snow and ice that comes around this time of the year.  Particularly with the recent Nor’easter, this seems particularly appropriate.

The first thing you need to consider is essential supplies to keep on hand.  Of course you’ll need basics like a snow shovel (ideally for both your car and your apartment), road salt or de-icer, and an ice scraper for your car.  However, you also want to consider putting together an emergency kit in case you get snowed in.  A home emergency kit should include:

• Canned goods
• Bottles of water
• Batteries
• Flashlights
• Battery-operated radio
• Extra blankets (in case the power goes out and you don’t have heat)

You’ll also want to make sure that you have an emergency kit in your car in case you get stuck somewhere.  A car emergency kit should include:

• Sleeping bag (preferably a camping sleeping bag, as that will be able to keep you warm)
• Extra winter boots
• Additional warm clothing
• Non-perishable or semi non-perishable snacks
• Bottled water
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries

These types of kits, although you may feel like you don’t need them, could save your life in the event you get stuck with no electricity or you get stuck in your car.

We also recommend getting proper snow attire, especially when you’re walking around campus (because class isn’t cancelled when it snows).  Some great winter gear we’ve learned to keep on hand are

• A winter jacket that is waterproof
• Waterproof snow boots with a tread
• Long underwear or spandex to put on underneath your clothes
• Winter hats
• Scarves
• Waterproof gloves or mittens

Take it from us:  These are some of the essentials for getting through winter both on- and off-campus.

Overall, the best thing you can do is to get prepared for winter before it gets here, as the snow and the ice can often come way before the first day of winter.

References:

“Top 10 Winter Survival Tools and Tactics” by Roby Ferrari

“Put Together a Winter Home Emergency Kit” by Jason Fitzpatrick

“Put Together a Winter Car Emergency Kit” by Jason Fitzpatrick