SEVERE STORM/ EMERGENCY PREPARDNESS TIPS

-Listen to weather forecasts and check your supplies

Listen to weather forecasts regularly and check your emergency supplies, including your emergency food and water supply, whenever you are expecting a winter storm or extreme cold. Even though we can’t always predict extreme cold in advance, weather forecasts can sometimes give you several days of notice to prepare.

-Bring your pets indoors

If you have pets, bring them indoors. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they have access to unfrozen water.

-Weatherproof your home

• Insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls so your water supply will be less likely to freeze
• Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows
• Insulate walls and attic
• Install storm or thermal-pane windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside
• Repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on your home or other structure during a storm

-Have your chimney or flue inspected each year

If you plan to use a fireplace or wood stove for emergency heating, have your chimney or flue inspected each year. Ask your local fire department to recommend an inspector or find one online.

-Install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector

•  If you’ll be using a fireplace, wood stove, or kerosene heater, install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near the area to be heated. Test them monthly and replace batteries twice a year.
•  Keep a multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher nearby.
•  All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside.
•  Each winter season have your furnace system and vent checked by a qualified technician to ensure they are functioning properly.

-Create an emergency car kit

It is best to avoid traveling, but if travel is necessary, keep the following in your car:

• Cell phone, portable charger, and extra batteries
• Items to stay warm such as extra hats, coats, mittens, and blankets
• Windshield scraper
• Shovel
• Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Water and snack food
• First aid kit with any necessary medications and a pocket knife
• Tow chains or rope
• Tire chains
• Canned compressed air with sealant for emergency tire repair
• Cat litter or sand to help tires get traction, or road salt to melt ice
• Booster cables with fully charged battery or jumper cables
• Hazard or other reflectors
• Bright colored flag or help signs, emergency distress flag, and/or emergency flares
• Road maps
• Waterproof matches and a can to melt snow for water

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