Snowstorm Preparation

We are now in the snowstorm season!

Here are important tips to keep your home and family safe.

 

Before Snowstorms and Extreme Cold:

• Make sure your home is well insulated and that you have weather stripping around your doors and window sills to keep the warm air inside.
• Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector.
• Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.

Click here for more recommendations

 

Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit for Home and Car that includes:

Click here for more recommended supplies

 

Prepare in advance by creating Emergency Plans: 

Evacuation Plan

Family/Household Communication Plan                 

During Snowstorms and Extreme Cold:

• Stay indoors during the storm.
• Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive: travel in the day; don’t travel alone; keep others informed of your schedule and your route; stay on main roads and avoid back road shortcuts.
• Walk carefully on snowy, icy, walkways.

After Snowstorms and Extreme Cold:

• If your home loses power or heat for more than a few hours or if you do not have adequate supplies to stay warm in your home overnight, you may want to go to a designated public shelter if you can get there safely. Text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area (e.g., SHELTER20472)
  • Bring any personal items that you would need to spend the night (such as toiletries, medicines). Take precautions when traveling to the shelter. Dress warmly in layers, weather boots, mittens, and a hat.
  • Continue to protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. Stay indoors, if possible.

Carbon Monoxide Warning:

Each year, an average of 430 Americans die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, and there are more than 20,000 visits to the emergency room with more than 4,000 hospitalizations. Carbon monoxide-related deaths are highest during colder months. These deaths are likely due to increased use of gas-powered furnaces and alternative heating, cooking, and power sources used inappropriately indoors during power outages.

Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal – burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace, on a deck or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. Keep these devices at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents.

This content is provided by ready.gov: The official website of the Department of Homeland Security