What to Do With Windows in a Blizzard

Dealing with the Cold

• Prior to the blizzard, make sure that every window in your home is covered by thick curtains or a blanket of some kind. Covering your windows with thick curtains or blankets serves two purposes. The first purpose is to keep the cold from getting into your home. The second reason you cover your windows is because cold winter wind blasts are more likely to crack your windows if they are directly exposed to the warmth of the room. By keeping the windows cold with thick curtains, you are preserving them and protecting your home.

Blankets

• If you have older windows, roll up old blankets and line them along the window sill to keep out cold. It is a layer of protection added to the thick curtains or blankets that will help to keep your home comfortable. If you lose power during the blizzard, you will need all of the protection from the cold you can get.

Do Not Touch

• It can be tempting to touch your windows during a blizzard, especially if there is frost forming on the inside of the windows. Do not touch your windows during a blizzard for a few good reasons. Touching the windows creates a point of heat from your fingertip that could crack the windows. If there is frost on your windows, it means the glass is frozen or almost frozen. Anything that touches the frozen glass could break it. You can look out your windows from time to time to gauge weather conditions, but do not touch the glass.

Do Not Slam Doors

• As the blizzard wears on, your windows will get colder and colder. Whether frost forms on the inside of your windows or not, the blasts of freezing cold air are taking their toll. Avoid slamming doors, jumping on the floor, dropping heavy objects on the floor or allowing loud bass sounds from your stereo or television. All of these can cause your freezing window panes to crack or even shatter.