From storing enough food and water to weather-proofing your house to maintaining your car, here are some recommendations on how to prepare for winter storms.
Winter storms can mean being stranded at home or in your vehicle without power or heat.
From storing enough food and water to weather-proofing your house to maintaining your car, here are some recommendations on how to prepare for winter storms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A girl tries to catch snowflakes on her tongue.
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Stay informed about the forecast to know when inclement winter weather is on the horizon. A few days' notice will give you time to ready your house and family for any extreme, cold-weather conditions. Some ways to stay informed:
Satellite imagery of the Northeast being impacted by a nor'easter on October 26, 2021.
(NOAA)
You need at least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods that don’t require heat for cooking. You’ll also need a gallon of bottled water per person per day for three days. Here are a few other items to keep around:
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Don’t forget about your furry, feathered or scaly family members. Be sure to bring your pets indoors, or, if that is not possible, give them enough shelter outside to keep them warm, along with access to water that remains unfrozen. A few other tips:
Winter weather can be beautiful to look at, and it certainly is fun to play in. Pet owners also know just how much fun their furry friends can have, especially in the snow.
(Kameron Kincade / Unsplash)
This will allow your entire family to be on the same page during a situation as stressful as a winter storm. The plan should include important documents and agreed-upon actions that each family member will take during the storm, such as:
Larry Goodno, left, and Lewis Jarrett clear snow off the roof of a house on Brighton Ave. in Portland Wednesday, February 11, 2015.
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The CDC recommends taking action to prevent heat from escaping your home. This can keep pipes from bursting, decrease the cost of your utility bills, increase the value of your home and, most importantly, keep your family safe during a winter storm. Here’s how you can do that:
Weatherstripping, caulk, and window insulation keep warm air inside the home.
(Ben Hasty / Getty Images)
If your family plans to use a fireplace or wood stove for emergency heating, be sure to have a professional inspect the chimney or flue annually. You can find a professional inspector by asking your local fire department or by looking online.
A man feeds his wood stove.
(Shawn Patrick Ouellette / Getty Images)
When a winter storm knocks out the electricity and central heating, you may want to use alternative ways – such as fireplaces or wood stoves – to heat your home. If so, keep in mind the following measure to keep your family safe from potential fire hazards:
A car navigates a snow-covered street on February 02, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Take your vehicle in for maintenance as often as the manufacturer recommends, according to the CDC. Leading up to the winter months, be sure to your car is prepared in these ways:
A man clears snow from his car on February 02, 2022, in Chicago, Illinois. A massive storm, working its way across the Midwest, is expected to dump as much as 16 inches of snow in some areas.
(Scott Olson / Getty Images)
The CDC recommends that people avoid traveling during inclement weather. But if travel is necessary, they suggest keeping the following in your car:
