Believe it or not, it’s coming! The winter weather in Northeast Ohio is unpredictable and when a winter storm is predicted, preparation is key! Due to blinding, wind-driven snow that lasts for several days, dangerously low temperatures, and sometimes strong winds, icing, sleet, and freezing rain, winter storms can bring blackouts. Take the following steps to ensure your safety during unexpected power outages that can occur with winter storms:
Winter is Coming!
- Insulate your home: install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside to provide insulation.
- Have sufficient heating fuel because regular sources may be cut off. Have emergency heating equipment and fuel.
- Never run a generator inside a home or garage to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Always keep running generators in an open and ventilated area. Plug all necessary appliances directly into the generator.
- To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation, and allow a small stream of water to run from faucets.
- To maintain refrigerated and frozen foods during a power outage, open the doors to those appliances as little as possible.
- Build an “emergency supply kit” (water, food, medications, flashlight, batteries, etc.)
- Winterize your vehicle and keep the gas tank full (to keep the fuel line from freezing).
- Keep a car charger for your cell phone in your vehicle.
- Unplug all other appliances and leave only one light switched on. There is an added risk of power surges occurring that can damage anything plugged in.
- Trim tree branches in your yard before the storm season begins in your area.
If you have to travel in winter extreme conditions, check out our safety tips for winter driving and also make sure you learn how to create a car emergency kit for wintertime just in case a snowstorm, an accident, or your car breaking down leaves you stuck in the middle of nowhere in a blizzard.
Download a copy of this handy Emergency Preparedness Document and use it to gather and record important numbers, such as your property or medical insurance provider, A/C repair service, etc.
Contact Your Local PuroClean Office for Property Damage Restoration
As Stephen King said: “There is no harm in hoping for the best as long as you’re prepared for the worst,” so be prepared, stay safe! And if disaster does strike your property this winter, call your local PuroClean here in the Cleveland area at (440)653-8222 for 24/7 restoration damage service.
