Posted on by astyrra_713s8o

HEY SO WE GOT A SUPER STORM COMING UP SO ANYONE NEW TO THE NORTHEAST OR WHO MAYBE JUST MOVED OUT AND IS LIVING ALONE, LISTEN UP!

clarkegriiffn:

bisexualexa:

Tips for anyone new (or not!) to the Northeast, from someone who grew up in the Northeast.

  • Black ice is not a myth. It is real. You can’t see it. If you drive too fast over it, you will die.
  • Frostbite and hypothermia are not myths. If you go outside to take pictures of the snow, wear appropriate clothing. 
  • ‘White outs’ are not myths. If it is snowing hard enough, you will lose visibility, and if you are outside and get lost, there is a very real chance you will get lost. And die. 
  • Don’t drive during the blizzard. Don’t do it. Just don’t. Please.
  • If you lose power, don’t get angry at the power company. Not only is it dumb because they can’t help trees falling on the lines, but if you are rude to them, they will help you last. I’m not kidding. They will literally decide to help your sector last if enough people from it are rude, because someone has to be last anyways so why not make it the assholes?
  • If someone knocks on your door and says they are freezing and need somewhere to stay, do not let them inside. Give them a blanket and say they can go in your shed if you have one, but do not let them inside. 
  • If you lose power and need heat, and happen to have a gas stove, boil pots of water for warmth.

That brings us to: Lily’s Quick and easy To Use Guide to Gas Stoves

Type 1: Manual gas stove

  • If you have one of these, you are in luck! 
  • Light the burners on top by turning the gas on with the dial (it will still work if the power is off) and quickly lighting it with matches or a lighter – quickly is important because if you wait to long too much gas will come out and when it lights you will lose your eyebrows. And maybe die.
  • Find the pilot light underneath your stove; there is usually some kind of pull out drawer at the bottom and that’s where you’ll find it. Turn the oven on (again, manual stoves will still work if the power is off! The gas will come out, but there won’t be a spark). and light the pilot light with one of those really looooong matches. DO NOT USE REGULAR MATCHES OR A LIGHTER FOR THIS. There are plenty of people from the north who probably can, no problem, but if you’ve never lit a pilot light before, be careful and use a long match or you could burn your hand and maybe clothes and also maybe die.
  • Because it’s a manual stove, you’ll be able to turn the oven gas off – yay!

Type 2: Digital gas stove

  • So basically, do everything the same as manual, EXCEPT do not light your pilot light!!!! You will not be able to turn it off. REPEAT – DO NOT LIGHT YOUR PILOT LIGHT BECAUSE YOU WILL HAVE NO WAY TO TURN IT OFF. 
  • You can still cook things on your stove top though! And boil water for heat!

Last little tips:

  • If you lose power, you can flush your toilet by pouring a big bucket of water right at the center of the bowl.
  • Use melted snow for water to boil and flush; save spring water for actual drinking.
  • Keep your heat low.
  • Put chains on your tires or ask a qualified neighbor to do it for you!
  • If your neighbor has a generator, they (almost certainly) will not mind letting you use their shower. At some point in their life, they have lost power and needed a shower and maybe a neighbor let them use their shower. 
  • Store refrigerated products out in the snow if you lose power.
  • KEEP YOUR FUCKING PETS INSIDE. I DON’T CARE IF YOUR DOG IS A HUSKY WOLF BLEND. IF IT IS A DOMESTICATED PET IT HAS NO CLUE WHAT TO DO IN A FUCKING BLIZZARD. I DON’T CARE IF IT SMELLS LIKE WET DOGS. KEEP YOUR FUCKING PETS INSIDE.
  • If for some reason you need to go out in a white out, tie a rope around your waist and to the house. Yes, it looks silly, but better silly than dead. 
  • CHARGE YOUR CELL PHONE AND LAPTOP NOW. RIGHT NOW. YOU’RE PROBABLY GOING TO LOSE POWER. DON’T USE THEM UNLESS YOU HAVE TO; NO CANDY CRUSH OR 2048 SHIT.
  • Yeah basically that’s all I can think of.
  • oh yeah try not to die

As someone living in New Hampshire, I can vouch that every single one of these is accurate and an absolute necessity for people living here. I can’t think of many other things to add, but here are some extra pointers:

  • If you have a tub to spare, fill it with water before you lose power and leave it. That much clean water can come in handy, trust me, whether it be for flushing your toilet or giving to your pet to drink. Clean your tub beforehand to keep it as clean as possible.
  • If you lose power and heat, keep a slow trickle in your faucet to avoid the pipes freezing.
  • And top off your vehicle’s gas tank before the storm. You do NOT want the fuel to freeze, either.
  • Move your cars out from under trees or other things that might collapse. It may seem like common sense, but just take a look at the statistics for how many people have their cars destroyed every time there’s a blizzard. Also try to avoid parking your car in the road or where they will be in the way of the plow trucks.
  • As a general rule, keep flares in your car, and blankets, and a change of clothes, as well as food and bottled water, first aid kits, and other emergency supplies (you can google for a complete list). They might save your life one day. But please do not drive in the storm, unless it is absolutely essential and more important than your life.
  • WHEN YOU DRIVE AFTER THE STORM, CLEAR THE SNOW OFF THE HOOD OF YOUR CAR! If it hits the windshield of the person behind you, it may cause an accident. Don’t be that asshole.
  • If you live in an apartment complex that plows the parking lot for you, move your car out of an unplowed spot and into a clean one when it’s safe, but as early as possible. That way, the plowing company will be able to reach the occupied spots and it will be easier for everybody.
  • Stock up on batteries and candles and bottled water, preferably way in advance. I always have a ton of them stored away in case of a storm because when everyone hears a blizzard is coming, it will be ten times harder to find them in stores. They fly off the shelves. The important stuff, yeah, but also all the white bread. Damn. Looks like there will be no PB&Js for me this week.
  • Snuggling! I’m serious, though, like Lily said, you want to keep your heat on low – and body warmth can help drive out the cold. Use it as an excuse to cuddle, with a human or even a pet.
  • DO NOT keep your generators inside the building. This one is so important but a lot of people don’t realize it. CO2 will build up if you do and it lingers for hours after you shut it down. Keep the generator outside, away from any openings to the house like windows or vents.
  • Hand-crank radio!
  • If things are like they were in ‘08 and everyone loses power for an extended period of time, a lot of the time, public buildings like town halls and schools (those that have backup generators) will open shelters for those who need it. My old high school had 200 people living in its gym for a week after the ice storm.
  • Most importantly, common sense is a virtue. It’s dangerous out there, so think before you do stupid things. Be safe, everyone.