Savanna Shaw/East Tennessean

Many students from kindergarten to college dream of snow days and not going to class. But are you prepared for the chance that winter weather disrupts your fun snow day activities?

Before the weather gets bad, it’s good to prepare at home. If you live somewhere with city water, like a dorm or apartment, drip your faucets to prevent the pipes from freezing. In case of power outages, you should charge your devices and portable chargers. You may also need a flashlight with extra batteries.

The dining hall should remain open, but the hours may change on inclement weather days. However, if you don’t want to hike through the cold to the dining hall, it’s best to prepare a few days of food in case you’re without power. Most people run to buy milk and bread. You should also get bottled water and different types of food that do not spoil easily or require preparation.

The best way to start a snow day is by staying home. Snowy and icy roads are dangerous, especially if you have never driven on them. Before getting on the roads, you should take all the snow and ice off your vehicle by turning on your defrosters and scraping with a scraper or credit card. Do not pour hot water on your windshield. This could crack and break it. When on the roads, you should drive like your grandma with a crockpot full of soup. This means driving at least half the speed limit. Be extra cautious on curves, overpasses, bridges, and hills. When visibility is bad, it is safer not use your high beams and focus on fog lines to stay in your lane, instead of other cars.

It can get boring staying at home for more than a couple of days. It’s key to have some entertainment handy that doesn’t require power. Such as this newspaper, board games, coloring books, or physical textbooks to study. When going out, dress appropriately with warm, waterproof layers. It’s good to bundle up with a hat, gloves, and a scarf.

ETSU is prepared for winter weather. Residence halls remain open, even when the University closes. If a power outage occurs, there are generators that will power emergency lighting, elevators, card access, and fire alarm systems. Only in extreme cases is it possible for a brief heat disruption. Hours on campus could change, and it is best to check with Weather Advisories at ETSU.

While snow and ice are beautiful, it’s important to be safe, stay warm, and most importantly, enjoy the time out of class.

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