ready for emergencies

Preparing Your Family

• Assemble a disaster supply kit.
• Prepare for the possibility that you will need to stay in your home for several days after a winter storm.
• As more people turn to alternate heating sources it is necessary to keep fire extinguishers on hand and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them.
• Know ahead of time what you should do to help elderly or disabled friends and neighbors or employees.
• Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters and keep all heaters at least three feet from flammable objects.
• Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing.

Preparing Your Car

• Keep cars and other vehicles fueled and in good repair. Winterize your car.
• Place a winter emergency kit in each car.
• If traveling by car during winter weather advisory or winter storm watch, do so in daylight, don't travel alone, and keep others informed of your schedule and route as well as try to stay on main roads.
• If at all possible, avoid driving during a winter storm warning or blizzard warning.

Preparing Your Home

• Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic, insulate walls and attics, and apply caulk and weather-stripping to doors and windows.
• Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock or equipment.
• Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing.
• Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).
• Hire a contractor to check the structural ability of the roof to sustain unusually heavy weight from the accumulation of snow - or water, if drains on flat roofs do not work.
• Remove ice and snow from tree limbs, roof and other structures after the storm passes.

Remember WINTER STORMS also account for many national major disasters and emergency declarations!