Preparing for a Winter Storm at Home
Winter is upon us! In Pennsylvania, we know snow, sleet, ice, extreme cold, and winds can wreak havoc on us at any given point. So, what kind of challenges can winter hazards create, and how do we prepare for them?
Winter weather can create hazards at home, such as:
- Loss of electricity and other utilities
- Loss of heating
- Supply shortages
Preparing for these hazards includes:
- Keeping electronics charged, like cell phone
- Ensuring a good supply of extra batteries for items like weather radios and flashlight
- Making sure your generator is serviced and ready to use safely
- Make sure any heating fuel tanks are full
- Readying any emergency heat sources for safe use (fireplaces, wood stoves, etc.
- Ensuring smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are in working order
- Having extra supplies on hand, including baby items, medicine, non-perishable food, water, and pet supplies
- Fueling or charging up your vehicle as an alternate source to charge electronics
- Making sure pipes are protected from extreme cold
- Sealing doors and windows to prevent warm air from escaping
Also, it’s a good time to brush up on your emergency plan. Are your contacts up to date? Do you have somewhere else to go before the storm to shelter if you don’t have the means to do so in your home? Think about the actions you would need to take if winter weather impacts your day-to-day activities.
For more winter weather preparedness tips, visit the NWS Winter Weather Preparedness page here. To read more about what you need to know about winter storms, visit here.
