How to prepare your family, home and car for a winter storm

Winter storms can mean you’re stuck at home or in your vehicle with no power or heat.

From keeping enough food and water to weatherproofing your home to maintaining your car, here are some recommendations to help you prepare for winter storms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How to prepare your family

Pay attention to weather forecasts

Stay up to date with the forecast to know when bad winter weather is on the way. A few days in advance gives you time to prepare your home and family for extreme, cold weather conditions. Some ways to stay informed:

• Hear forecasts on a weather radio or hand crank radio.
• View forecasts on your phone, online or on TV e.g. B. in the FOX Weather app, on the website and in the channel.

Assemble an emergency reserve of food and water

You need at least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods that don’t require heat to cook. They also need one gallon of bottled water per person per day for three days. Here are a few other items to keep:

• A manual can opener.
• Disposable cups, plates, cutlery, paper towels and garbage bags.

Take care of your pets

Don’t forget about your furry, feathered or scaly family members. Make sure you bring your pets indoors or, if that’s not possible, outside, provide them with enough shelter to keep them warm along with access to unfrozen water. A few more tips:

• Buy a carrier for your pet and then train them to be comfortable in the carrier.
• Attach identifying collars and tags to your pets with your contact information. You can also microchip them.
• Keep an emergency supply of food and water for your pets.

Create an emergency plan

That way, your whole family can be on the same page in a situation as stressful as a winter storm. The plan should include key documents and agreed actions that each family member will take during the storm, such as:

• A list of helpful phone numbers, e.g. B. the poison control center.
• Ask a friend or relative who lives outside of the affected area to be your out-of-town family contact.
• Records of medical needs of family members.
• Important documents such as wills and other legal documents.
• In the event of an emergency, identify a shelter location inside your home and a meeting point outside your home.

How to prepare your home

Weatherproof the house

The CDC recommends taking steps to prevent heat from escaping your home. This can prevent pipes from bursting, reduce the cost of your utility bills, increase the value of your home, and most importantly, protect your family during a winter storm. Here’s how you can do that:

• Insulate water lines running along exterior walls.
• Insulate your walls and attic.
• Repair roof leaks.
• weatherstrip and weatherstripping doors and windows.
• Install storm or thermal windows. Otherwise, cover windows from the inside with plastic.
• Cut branches that might fall on your home during a storm.

Have your chimney or chimney checked every year

If your family plans to use a fireplace or wood-burning stove for emergency heating, have the chimney or flue inspected by a professional once a year. You can find a professional inspector by asking your local fire department or by searching online.

Think about fire safety

When a winter storm knocks out the electricity and central heating, you may want to use alternative ways — like fireplaces or wood-burning stoves — to heat your home. If this is the case, consider the following measure to protect your family from potential fire hazards:

• Install a smoke detector and a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector near the heat source. Test devices monthly and replace batteries twice a year.
• Make sure all fuel burning appliances are vented to the outside.
• Keep a multi-purpose dry chemical fire extinguisher nearby.
• Have your furnace system checked and vented by a specialist every winter.

How to prepare your vehicle

Maintain your vehicle

According to the CDC, bring your vehicle in for service as often as the manufacturer recommends. Ahead of the winter months, make sure your car is prepared in the following ways:

• Have the cooling system serviced or check the antifreeze level with an antifreeze tester. If necessary, add antifreeze.
• Check your tires to make sure they have enough tread and air pressure (usually between 30 and 35psi). If necessary, replace old tires and adjust air pressure accordingly.
• Keep the gas tank as full as possible. This avoids waiting times in the fuel line and prevents ice from forming in the tank.
• Make sure the following are working properly or are at the correct level: heater, defroster, brakes, brake fluid, ignition, hazard lights, exhaust, oil and battery.

Create an emergency kit for the car

The CDC recommends avoiding travel in inclement weather. But if travel is necessary, they recommend keeping the following in your car:

• Extra blankets, coats, hats, mittens and other items to help you stay warm.
• Water and snacks and a first aid kit with medication and a pocket knife.
• Waterproof matches and a can so you can melt snow for water.
• Cell phone, portable charger, flashlight, battery operated radio and extra batteries for everyone.
• Shovel, disc scraper, plus road salt to melt ice and cat litter or sand to give tires traction.
• Tow chains or ropes, snow chains and canned compressed air with sealant for emergency tire repairs.
• Hazard or other reflectors, colored flags or auxiliary signs, and an emergency flag and/or flares.