Be Prepared for a Winter Storm Blackout

• 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 in order 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. Learn more here
• 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 and batteries, etc).
• Winterize your vehicle and keep the gas tank full (to keep the fuel line from freezing).
• Buy a car charger for your cell phone.
• Unplug all appliances and leave only one light switched on. There is an added risk of power surges occurring that can destroy your appliances.
• 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 to have with you just in case a snow storm, an accident or your car breaking down leaves you stuck in the middle of nowhere in a blizzard.

As Stephen King once said: “There is no harm in hoping for the best as long as you’re prepared for the worst” so be prepared, stay safe!

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