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Tips: How to prepare for a winter storm

Published: January 28, 2010 Comment on this article

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Article Gallery: Tips: How to prepare for a winter storm

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• Depend on a reliable weather information source for the latest weather information.

Plan for a storm

• Develop a family disaster plan for winter storms. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together when a winter storm hits.

• Check on family, friends and neighbors, especially the elderly. Make sure they are prepared.

• Make sure pets have good food and water supplies and a place to seek shelter.

• Prepare a kit with food and water, batteries, radio and other necessary supplies you might need if power is out or if you are not able to get out for several days.

• Have your car winterized.

Protect your property

• Make sure your home is properly insulated. If necessary, insulate walls and attic. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windowsills.

• Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside.

• To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of old newspapers. Cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture.

• Let faucets stream to avoid freezing.

• Know how to shut off water valves.

• Consider storing extra heating fuel.

• Keep safe, emergency heating equipment, such as a fireplace with wood. Always be cautious in using a portable space heater, and never leave the heater on when you are not in the room or when you go to bed.

• If you have a generator, take the time now to complete any required maintenance. Make sure you follow instructions to include proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you must go out during a winter storm

• The best way to stay safe in a snowstorm is to not be out in it. Long periods of exposure to severe cold can result in frostbite or hypothermia. It is easy to become disoriented in blowing snow.

• Stretch before you go out to shovel snow to warm up your body.

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