Fall - Winter Preparations

[SoCal92057]

Fall has arrived and most of us in the U.S. have begun to prepare for the winter. Where I live the snow is on the ground for about 5 months. Among the needed supplies and activities are the installation of snow tires, getting cut and split firewood (usually between 6" and 12" in diameter) as an alternate source of heat, checking outerwear to ensure it is still serviceable for winter weather down to about -30 degrees Fahrenheit, being certain the snow blower is operable, putting a winter survival bag in the auto as a precaution in case of an extended roadside breakdown, adding gasoline anti-freeze to the fuel in the auto and snow blower, winterizing any other gasoline engines that will be subjected to the extended cold and lack of use, clearing the outside yard of tools before they disappear under the snow for several months, improving the house against drafts, filling the propane and fuel oil tanks, cleaning the chimney flues against a flue fire, installing winter wiper blades on the auto, cleaning the furnace for safety and efficiency, checking on the serviceability of the snow shovels, putting up marker stakes along the edge of the driveway to assist in snow removal and more and more.

What do others do that is unique to preparing for the winter?

[redskies]

We've just taken down the old tent that was being used as a workshop. Everything that can be moved indoors, into the shed or into the lee of the house has been shifted, the rest has been tied down, tied to the fence or weighted down with rocks.

Yup, it's gale season again!

[Arzosah]

What do others do that is unique to preparing for the winter?

I *do* check my food stocks, but thats pretty normal. Really, the only things I do that are specific to winter are to put a heavier tog duvet on the bed, and wrap a couple of rags around the outside tap, so it doesn't freeze

[Stasher]

What do others do that is unique to preparing for the winter?

I *do* check my food stocks, but thats pretty normal. Really, the only things I do that are specific to winter are to put a heavier tog duvet on the bed, and wrap a couple of rags around the outside tap, so it doesn't freeze

We drain our outside taps and switch off the water supply to avoid any cracked pipe problems. I move a kilo of salt into the bathroom (our bath waste pipe goes directly outside to join the rest of the grey water. It has frozen 'in pipe' before, oh, that was a fun morning!

Obviously the vehicle check, anti freeze etc and a winter update on the 'in car survival kit' which includes a snow shovel, cat litter, rock salt, hand warmers, hot cans and additional clothing

Final oil tank top up (oh Briggs I envy you), genny check

Check/increase food holding for pets and poultry. Ditto antiseptic spray, only now it's that silver stuff etc

The best bit............get the electric blanket out of storage and battle with the mega duvet for the bed!

Oh, and check the outdoor slippers are still sound....................

All garden furniture moved into the shed, check all roofs/doors/windows and hammer down anything that looks like it might shift

Think that's it

[nickdutch]

As I am not a homeowner and live in a flt that is attached to a main house I haven't got that much freedom to do "stuff", but that doesn't mean that i am not cautious.

1) slowly increase stocks of cough and colds medicines
2) ownership of a microwave hot water bottle, getting ordinary hot water bottles out and reachable
3) ownership of a solid fuel hand warmer
4) longjohns and long sleeved thermal vests
5) making sure the bicycle (my only form of transport apart from the busses) is ok for the winter. Will be getting new inner tubes and a new pump in the coming week.
6) keep first aid kit topped up
7) buy ethanol for the bioethanol fireplace and camping stoves.
8) make sure I have gas cylinders for the briefcase stove
9) plenty of candles (tealights)
10) batteries for battery lanterns, including head torches and one of them has "rubylith" over it's lens to give red light to preserve night vision.
11) some basic tinned foods incase I cant get to the shops for whatever reason (too ill with winter health problems, no home delivery for tesco due to bad weather)
12) water purification tablets incase I have to melt snow / ice for water
13) new gloves
14) thin waterproofs and a good thick coat too.
15) use of electric blanket to prevent the need for extra heating at night.
16) vitamin and minerals
17) digestive system aids
18) enough soya beans and coagulant to make tofu as a meat substitute if I need it.
19) and probably a few more things that I haven't mentioned


Just the basics really.

[Ragdolly]

Getting going with winterising the bees they're not so happy!

Finished stacking the woodshed but actually wimped out and had a heat pump fitted this week. Wood stove will now be for ambiance and power outs.

Need to put my garden beds to sleep too

[Arzosah]

A few reminders for me in there I only have one hot water bottle (two microwavers, but I want another hot water one!).

And the garden - yes, a lot of cutting back and pruning, ready for next year's growth.

[ukpreppergrrl]

Well this year it's purchasing more sun-screen, checking the fans are functioning, buying anti-perspirant, adding to the t-shirt and shorts collection, maybe developing an automatic watering system for the garden. Winter, what winter? 25C in London yesterday! What the...?

[Yorkshire Andy]

I've got a pile of jobs on the cards

Garden needs winterizing benches oiling up camper put away grass needs scarifying

Car needs servicing and winter tyres fitting (got all the bits ) antifreeze testing (found hydrometer last night)

Outside tap needs fixing plumber is ment to be calling in

The lovely miss YA has treated me to some helly Hansen cold store trousers

Got 3x norwegen army thermal tops from the car boot yesterday and some dewalt safety breathable boots from screwfix

The shed needs refelting

Need to check stocks of magic melt salt

Check CH works


And repack car kit

[nickdutch]

A few reminders for me in there I only have one hot water bottle (two microwavers, but I want another hot water one!)..

Pound shops and budget shops tend to do hot water bottles these days, but they are probably made in chinese factories and some have a nasty chemical smell that goes with time and use, but it takes time.

The microwaveable hot water bottle I have decided to keep for the small of the back when I am sitting in front of the Tv at night to keep me warmer without as much need for mains heating as I wouldn't want something I have been sleeping with going in my food preparation area (microwave)