Like it or not, weird weather is here. You may have this image in your head of how weather used to be simpler. You’d be right on that. We’re seeing more “rare” weather events than ever. This isn’t the kind of blog where we sit around and talk about the reasons. We’re the folks who help you get stuff done. So, in that spirit, let’s talk about five ways you can be prepared for extreme weather that you might not have considered.
1. Get a TV antenna
This isn’t the sort of advice that most people think about when thinking about weather preparedness. Yet, a TV antenna should be part of every emergency plan. Roughly 95% of the people in the US live where they can get free TV stations, and every TV has the ability to receive them.
You may not be the sort of person who’s “into” live TV. A lot of our younger readers are like that. But think about it – in extreme weather, cell towers could be washed away and internet lines could be cut. With a reliable TV antenna, you’ll get news and weather information as long as you have power to your home. A TV antenna is a one-time purchase that you never have to think about if you’re not using it. It’s a win-win.
2. Get a really good emergency radio
You might not be a “radio person.” I know I’m not. I’ll be honest with you. I haven’t listened to more than 15 minutes of live broadcast radio in the last five years. But, in case of emergencies, it’s something you’ll want access to. When there’s no cell service, no internet, and no power, you’ll want something that will keep you connected. A radio like this CCRADIO Solar is pricey, that’s true. But it will run for a long time on batteries, can be charged by solar or hand crank, and can even keep your devices charged. It’s water resistant and shockproof, which trust me you will appreciate.
3. Make sure you have good tools on hand
When disaster strikes you may not know what you need. But, having a good selection of general purpose tools on hand is always a good idea. I spend a lot of money on tools because I want stuff that will last a lifetime. The last thing you want is for something to break when you don’t have the ability to replace it.
You may not feel like you need super-expensive tools or you may not have the budget for them. But, buying a few pieces now and then will help you get what you need. For basic hand tools, I like to shop at thrift stores. When people pass away, their descendents often just donate anything they don’t understand. In general, hand tools from 40-50 years ago are better built and tend to work as well as the day they were made.
If you want new tools though, you might want to take a look at Solid Signal’s selection. You may not really need every one of these special purpose tools, but you might just find something that really fits your needs.
4. Plan on backup power
If you’re lucky, you’ll have time when disaster strikes to make sure your data is protected. If you’re not backing up to the cloud, you risk losing a lot of your precious memories if your computers are damaged. One strategy for making sure you’re covered is to make sure you have time to properly power down your computers so you can put them in a safe location. For that, you need backup power.
You don’t need an expensive generator. Generally a small battery backup will give you those few minutes you need to shut everything down the right way. If you choose to go with a solar system or some other whole-house backup power solutions that’s going to work well, but until you make that investment you can get a few backup power supplies that can help you.
5. Think outside the box
Think about what you’ll need to stay safe when the weather gets the best of you. It may be a standalone weather station, a flashlight, or any number of small things. The good news is that you can get all these emergency supplies at Solid Signal.
If you’re not sure what you need, call us! We’re here during East Coast business hours and we answer the phone! Call us at 888-233-7563 and we’ll help you figure it out. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you, usually within one business day.
