With winter weather expected in our area, now is the time to prepare.

Prepare Now

• Stay informed. Know your area’s risk for winter storms. Extreme winter weather can leave communities without utilities or other services for long periods of time.
• Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking, and weather stripping. Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups.
• Pay attention to weather reports and warnings of freezing weather and winter storms. Sign up for Nixle, our community's text warning system, by texting your zip code to 888777. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radios also provide emergency alerts.
• Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets. Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights.
• Create an emergency supply kit for your car. Include jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water, and non-perishable snacks. Keep the gas tank full.
• Learn the signs of, and basic treatments for, frostbite and hypothermia

Prepare A Winter Survival Kit

Severe winter storms often bring heavy accumulation of ice and snow, which can lead to downed power lines and extended outages. While crews will work hard to restore power, having a winter survival kit on hand is a smart idea.

• Food: Store food that does not require cooking, such as canned goods, crackers, dehydrated meats and dried fruit. Keep a large supply of water on hand.
• Medication: Be sure to maintain adequate supplies of prescription medicine in the event of a major winter storm or extended power outage.
• Identification: Keep all forms of identification handy, such as driver’s licenses, photo IDs and social security cards. Bank account information and insurance policies are also good to have on hand.
• Other items: First Aid Kit, blankets, flashlight, battery-powered radio and extra batteries.

Survive During

• Stay off roads if at all possible. If trapped in your car, then stay inside.
• Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, then wear layers of warm clothing.
• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.
• Reduce the risk of a heart attack. Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow.
• Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia and begin treatment right away.
• Check on neighbors. Older adults and young children are more at risk in extreme cold.

Recognize and Respond 

Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature. A temperature below 95 degrees is an emergency.

• Signs: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, or drowsiness
• Actions: Go to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head, and groin. Keep dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck.

Stay Warm and Safe

Have a plan for an alternate home heating source in case of an extended outage. Some people use a fireplace, propane space heater or wood-burning stove. Fuel and wood-burning heating sources should always be vented, and make sure carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working properly. Always practice extreme caution when using alternate heating sources.

Generator Safety

Portable generators are a popular option to provide electricity in an extended outage.  If using a generator, always follow basic safety guidelines:

• Make sure generators are placed at least 20 feet away from your home for proper ventilation.
• Do not operate a generator in your home’s garage.
• Do not to overload the generator.
• Use appropriate extension cords that can handle the electric load. 
• Never connect a portable generator to your homes electrical system without a permanently installed transfer switch, this puts linemen working to restore community power at high risk of electrocution.

By making a plan and being prepared, you can help yourself and your family stay warm and safe during inclement weather.  Remember, don't panic, prepare.