Tennessee is no Minnesota when it comes to winter weather, but the temperatures can still dip down into the 30s and snow isn’t out of the ordinary. Here in Bartlett, Tennessee, the high temperatures on winter days typically hover around 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit, while the lows generally reach 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit. The average annual snowfall is just 3 inches. While we’re lucky to experience relatively mild winters, it’s still important to prepare for winter in Tennessee each year to ensure that you stay warm, safe, and comfortable.
Preparing for Winter in Tennessee
Stay Informed of Weather Conditions
One of the most important things you can do to prepare for winter in Tennessee is simply to remain alert. Pay attention to your local news and radio stations, or cable channels like The Weather Channel, so that you aren’t caught off guard by freezing temperatures or a blizzard. In addition, be sure that your loved ones are aware of upcoming hazards as well.
Gather Some Comfy, Cozy Supplies
One of the best things about winter in Tennessee is that the weather provides a wonderful excuse to bundle up inside your home. So make sure that you’re ready for hibernation by gathering all your integral supplies for a cozy evening, which may include some or all of the following:
- Hot cocoa
- Tea or coffee
- Firewood
- Sweaters
- Blankets
- Candles
- Recipes for your favorite comfort food
Create an Emergency Kit for Storms
Tennessee winters are typically chilly but mild, but severe storms do occur from time to time. To prepare, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) recommends that you prepare an emergency kit with the following items:
- Drinking water
- Non-perishable food (for example, canned vegetables and fruits, canned tuna and chicken, peanut butter, granola, jerky, and dried fruit)
- A can opener, forks, and spoons
- Hand-crank or battery-powered radio
- Several flashlights
- Fresh batteries
- Rock salt to melt ice
- Sand to improve traction
- Snow shovels, ice scrapers, and other snow removal equipment
- Warm clothing and blankets
If you have a car, create an emergency kit to store there as well.
In addition, it’s helpful to have a safe alternative heating source to use in case of a power outage. For example, you might use a fireplace, a wood-burning stove, or a space heater. Do not leave any heating sources unattended, however, and be sure the space is properly ventilated if you’re burning fuel or wood. Do not use any devices that rely on gasoline, propane, or natural gas while indoors.
Develop an Emergency Plan
If you wait until disaster strikes to figure out what to do, you may struggle with the process due to panic or a lack of resources. So right now, when everything is going swimmingly, write down a few notes for emergencies. These tips should help you get started:
- Inquire about your retirement community’s emergency protocols.
- Write down the contact information of loved ones and important resources (like your doctor’s phone number).
- Check the safety devices in your home (smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, etc.).
Get Your Home Winter-Ready
If you own a home, there are several other things you must do to ensure that you’re ready for winter. Experts recommend that you complete all of the following steps:
- Clean out your gutters.
- Check your pipes.
- Schedule a roof inspection.
- Clean your chimney.
- Turn off all outdoor water systems (sprinklers, fountains, hoses, etc.)
- Schedule a furnace inspection.
- Check for window and door leaks.
- Reverse your ceiling fans (if possible).
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We’re already a few weeks into winter, so if you haven’t prepared for the season yet, now is the time to do so!
Are you looking for an assisted living community in Tennessee? Check out Hearthside Senior Living in Collierville and Bartlett. Our warm and inviting communities makes it easy for seniors to embrace a healthy lifestyle, with home-cooked and restaurant-style meals, exercise classes, and a nurse devoted to residents’ health and wellness. To learn more about our amenities and services, please contact us online.