Before the Next Ohio Winter Storm: 10 Things Every Homeowner Should Check Now
We’ve been lucky to enjoy some beautiful fall weather here in Ohio, but we all know how quickly that can change. One day it’s sunny and mild, and the next day the driveway is covered in snow and the sidewalks are slick with ice.
The best time to prepare for winter weather is before the first storm hits. A little planning now can save you a last-minute trip in bad weather and help keep your home, family, pets, and property safer all season long.
Here are 10 things every homeowner in Northeast Ohio should check now before the next winter storm arrives.
1. Make Sure You Have Ice Melt at Home
One of the easiest winter-prep items to overlook is ice melt. Then the first storm rolls through, and suddenly everyone is trying to buy it at the same time.
Keeping ice melt on hand helps you stay ahead of slippery sidewalks, porches, and driveways. It’s especially important around entryways, steps, and anywhere water tends to refreeze overnight.
At Pettigrew Feed & Hardware, we carry ice melt and pet-friendly options so you can choose what works best for your household.
2. Check Your Snow Shovel Before You Need It
A snow shovel is one of those tools people don’t think about until they need it immediately. Before the weather turns, make sure your shovel is in good shape and easy to access.
If the handle is cracked, the scoop is worn out, or you just know yours has seen better days, it’s better to replace it now than during a storm.
A good shovel on hand can make a big difference when you need to clear your sidewalk, porch, or driveway quickly.
3. Refill Your Propane Tank Early
If you use propane for heating, grilling, shop heat, or other outdoor equipment, don’t wait until bad weather is already here.
Winter storms and cold snaps are never the ideal time to realize your propane tank is low. Refilling ahead of time helps you avoid the rush and gives you one less thing to worry about when temperatures drop.
If you’ve been putting it off, now is a great time to take care of it.
4. Stock Up on Hardwood Pellet Fuel
If you heat with a pellet stove, this is a big one.
When cold weather settles in, good pellet fuel becomes something you definitely want to have ready. Buying ahead helps you stay prepared and avoid scrambling when temperatures suddenly drop.
At Pettigrew, we carry hardwood pellet fuel, including quality pellets that are kept dry and stored properly. That matters, because dry, well-kept pellets perform better and help protect your investment in home heating.
5. Get Your Driveway, Walkways, and Entry Areas Ready
Take a quick walk around your property and look for areas that could become a problem once snow and ice arrive.
Pay special attention to:
- Sidewalks
- Front steps
- Porch entries
- Garage aprons
- Handrails
- Sloped walkways
Now is the time to move summer items out of the way, make sure outdoor lighting is working, and think through where snow tends to pile up. A little preparation can make winter cleanup safer and easier.
6. Winterize Your RV, Camper, or Boat
If you own an RV, camper, or boat, don’t wait for the first hard freeze to think about winterization.
Using RV & Marine Antifreeze helps protect plumbing systems from freeze damage during storage. That kind of damage can be expensive and frustrating — and it’s often preventable with a little preparation.
If your camper or boat is going into storage soon, this is the perfect time to pick up antifreeze and check that task off your list.
7. Don’t Forget Your Outdoor Friends
Winter can be hard on birds and other backyard wildlife, especially once snow covers natural food sources.
Keeping bird feed on hand is a simple way to support the birds you enjoy seeing around your home all winter long. It’s also a great time to make sure feeders are clean and ready to go.
Pettigrew carries lots of different kinds of bird feed, and we work to keep it fresh so you can feed your backyard visitors with confidence.
8. Think Ahead for Livestock and Farm Animals
If you care for chickens, horses, goats, or other animals, winter prep goes beyond your house.
Now is a good time to think through:
- Feed supply
- Water access
- Bedding needs
- Shelter conditions
- Cold-weather routine changes
Being prepared ahead of time makes life easier when temperatures drop or snow starts piling up. If you know you’ll need feed or bedding, it’s smart to stock up before the weather gets bad.
9. Keep Winter Necessities Convenient and Easy to Reach
Preparation is about more than having the right products — it’s also about knowing where they are when you need them.
Try to keep the essentials together and easy to access:
- Ice melt
- Shovel
- Gloves
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Antifreeze
- Bird feed
- Heating fuel supplies
When the first storm hits, you don’t want to be digging through the garage hoping you remember where everything went.
10. Shop Before the Storm — Not During It
This may be the most important tip of all.
The smartest winter preparation step is simply taking care of it before the weather gets ugly. Once snow and ice arrive, store trips become inconvenient, parking lots get messy, and the things everyone needs most tend to be top of mind for everybody at once.
Shopping a little early helps you stay ready, stay safer, and stay home when conditions worsen.
Let Pettigrew Help You Get Ready for Winter
At Pettigrew Feed & Hardware, we’re here to help you prepare for winter in Northeast Ohio with practical products and friendly service.
Whether you need:
- Ice melt
- Pet-friendly ice melt
- Propane refills
- Hardwood pellet fuel
- RV & Marine Antifreeze
- Bird feed
- Feed and supplies for your animals
—we’re ready to help.
Stop in and get prepared now, before the next Ohio winter storm rolls in.
Questions? Give us a call at 330-325-1500.
- Wesley Willis
