Making the Most of a Southern Snow Day

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Road safety

Please, if at all possible, stay at home when it snows! In South Carolina, the state is not equipped to deal with snow emergencies as efficiently as Northern states where snow is more frequent.

I’m from Long Island, New York originally. My husband taught me to drive, and I passed my road test with snow on the ground. Ironically, he totaled his car in a snowstorm last year … after we’d moved to South Carolina. He spun out on a patch of ice and hit a guard rail on I-26 just outside of Orangeburg. Icy patches on the roadway make driving dangerous, particularly when there aren’t many snowplows or sand/salt crews.

How can you drive safely on icy roads?

  • Drive slowly. Be cautious; it’s better to arrive late and in one piece than to get in an accident on the way to your destination. You won’t always be able to see ice before you hit it.
  • If you hit a patch of ice, ease off the gas, steer through the ice, and don’t hit the brakes, as this will cause your vehicle to spin.
  • Bring a small hand brush or broom with you if there is a chance that it will snow while you are out. This is useful for clearing snow off your car before driving and making sure that you have the most visibility possible while driving.

snow child

Storm Supplies

Since it’s ideal to stay home on snow days, what should you have on hand around the house?

  • Water bottles: In case water pipes freeze, at least you will have something to drink.
  • Toilet paper: You don’t want to run out and then not be able to dash to the store to pick up more.
  • Firewood or space heater as needed: Depending on how well your home is heated and insulated, you may need additional supplies to keep warm, such as blankets, especially electric heated blankets.
  • Gloves, hats, scarves, boots, snowsuits: If your kids want to go out and play, you’ll need to have the proper attire on hand. You may also wish to stock up on carrots so that their Olaf snowman will have a nose.
  • Sleds, shovels, buckets: Snow toys can be hard to come by in the South, but a beach pail and shovel will help make a snow fort. The top of a Rubbermaid-type trash can work as a sled if you have a hill nearby.
  • Easy meals: The stories about shelves cleared of bread and milk are true! Make sure you have enough to feed your family for a few days.

Jonathan and Lucie play in the snow in February 2014 in West Columbia, SC.

Snow-day Activities

What to do when you’re stuck home as a result of the snow?

  • Play in the snow: Build a snowman — or, if you’re really snowed in, a snow fort!
  • Screen time: Have a movie marathon or catch up on your binge-watching.
  • Snow-day sweets: Bake a batch of cookies or muffins, and deliver them to the neighbors.
  • Book bonanza: Gather everyone in the living room and read a favorite story aloud.
  • Hibernate: It works for bears, right? Catch up on sleep.

What are your tips for surviving a Southern snow day?

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Barbara Reggio
Barbara Reggio is a wife, mother, and small business owner. She has been married to Jonathan since May 2011, and they are partners in parenting their two children, Lucie (January 2012) and Asher (April 2014). The Reggio family relocated to West Columbia from Long Island, NY in March 2013 when Jonathan accepted a job transfer. She has the best of both worlds working both outside the home at a Customs House Brokerage and running her home based business, Trendy Babywearing. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Maritime Studies from the State University of New York at Maritime College. When she is not working or writing articles for Columbia SC Moms Blog, Barbara enjoys walking at the Riverbanks Zoo with her family, babywearing, reading, singing along to the radio (loudly) in her car, loom knitting, documenting her children's lives with photography, and writing on her personal blog http://www.trendsettermom.com/. Barbara is currently working on her goal of becoming a lifetime member with Weight Watchers.

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