Storms are an unfortunate reality of winter. If this is your first time living away from home, it’s likely that you never needed to worry about preparing for storms before, as this was something your parents took care of. Now that you’re living in a student apartment, though, it’s up to you to take steps to be ready for eventualities like a heavy snowfall and perhaps a power outage. Here are some ways to prepare.
1. Buy a Generator
If there’s any risk of an extended blackout in your apartment building, it’s worth having a generator. A small one should give you enough power to keep your phone and laptop charged and a lamp on, which will mean you’re able to read or study during the power outage.
2. Learn to Play Board Games
Another thing you can do when the power is out is play board games with your roommates. As well as buying a few games, make sure you read the instructions and even play a couple times beforehand.
3. Have Some Candles Ready
Candles allow you to illuminate your entire apartment for hours and don’t require any energy. Plus, they create a pleasant atmosphere — and the scented ones smell great.
4. Make Sure You’ll Stay Warm
Even an hour without power can mean you become quite cold. Stay warm with clothing you can layer up (including fuzzy socks) and some heavy blankets.
5. Salt Outdoor Areas
It’s best to salt walkways and driveways the night before any snow or sleet falls. This will prevent a buildup of ice and mean you’re able to leave your home safely in the morning.
6. Purchase a Snow Shovel
Salt isn’t enough to deal with a heavy snowfall. To prevent being snowed in, acquire a shovel as soon as possible — you never know when it could come in useful.
7. Store Extra Gas
If you have a car, try to keep your gas tank full over the winter in case of a gas shortage. It’s also worth storing some extra gas for your generator and snow blower, if you have one.
8. Stock Up on Food
You may be unable to leave your home and head to the grocery store during and after a storm. Make sure you have enough to eat by filling the cupboards with non-perishable food, including things that don’t require cooking. Bear in mind that there may be an increased demand for such food a couple days before a storm, as everyone else in your area will also be preparing. For this reason, it’s a good idea to add items to your grocery list even before any storm is approaching.
There’s no need to worry about clearing snow and salting walkways when you live at Foundry Princess. We have an onsite concierge and you can always submit maintenance requests when you live in one of our student rentals. Kingston students can also take advantage of the 24/7 Avenue C Market at Foundry Princess to pick up food and drink any time. Secure your spot in our student community while spaces are still available.