Tips for Winter Storm Preparedness:
- Turn on faucets to a trickle to prevent pipes from freezing
- Avoid driving in sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow, or dense fog. If you must travel, keep a disaster supply kit in your vehicles. Include: first aid kit, road flares, jumper cables, rain ponchos, flashlight (and extra batteries), rags, duct tape, baby wipes, drinking water & non-perishable foods, multipurpose tool, ice scraper, blankets and/or warm clothing. If you have limited space, pare it down to just the basics (first aid kit, flashlight, multipurpose tool, jumper cables, road flare, bottled water, blankets)
- Keep a stock of non-perishable foods
- Have fresh batteries on hand for radios & flashlights
In case of a Power Outage:
- Keep all doors to outside shut, use towels to blocks drafts coming from cracks/windows
- Check your breaker to make sure you have not blown a circuit
- Unplug electronics and appliances that use electric motors to prevent damaging the appliances & overloading circuits when power is restored
- Keep freezers & refrigerators closed
- Use generators OUTDOORS & away from windows
- Do not use a gas stove, as this could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning
- Have alternate plans for refrigerating medical supplies or medicines such as an ice filled cooler or place outdoors or in a cold (40 degree) garage.
- Check on your neighbors and offer to share resources