• Make sure your Household Disaster Plan is ready and all members of your household are familiar with how to contact one another in an emergency.
• Winterize your Go Bag by a blanket, warm socks and gloves.
• Your emergency supply kit should be fully-stocked to allow you to sustain yourself for up to three days without power, or in the event you are unable to travel far from home. You may wish to include additional items such as extra blankets, additional warm clothing, and a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio to monitor weather conditions during a storm.

Winterize Your Home

• Install storm shutters, doors and windows; clean out gutters; repair any roof leaks; and have a contractor check the stability of your roof in the event of a large accumulation of snow.
• Insulate walls and attic. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows. Install storm windows, or cover windows with plastic from the inside.
• Have safe emergency heating equipment available. For residences with functioning fireplaces, keep an ample supply of wood. Utilize portable electric space heaters. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
• Install and check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Make sure you have sufficient heating fuel; you may have difficulty obtaining fuel in the immediate aftermath of a bad storm.
• Service snow removal equipment, and have rock salt on hand to melt ice on walkways. Kitty litter can be used to generate temporary traction.

Winterize Your Car

Before winter sets in, have a mechanic check the following items on your vehicle:

• Battery
• Antifreeze
• Windshield wipers and washer fluid
• Ignition system
• Thermostat
• Lights (headlamps and hazard lights)
• Exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster
• Oil level (if necessary, replace oil with a winter oil or SAE 10w/30 variety)

Install good winter tires that have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some jurisdictions require vehicles to be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs.

Regardless of the season, it's a good idea to prepare for an in-car emergency. Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit for your vehicle, and consider adding the following items for winter conditions:

• Blankets, sleeping bags, extra newspapers for insulation
• Plastic bags (for sanitation)
• Extra mittens, socks, scarves and hat, raingear and extra clothes
• Sack of sand or kitty litter for gaining traction under wheels, small shovel
• Set of tire chains or traction mats
• Working jack and lug wrench, spare tire
• Windshield scraper, broom
• Small tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)
• Booster cables
• Brightly colored cloth to use as a flag, flares or reflective triangles

What To Do Before A Storm Strikes

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio and your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information. Know what winter storm watches and warnings mean.
• Check on relatives, friends, and neighbors who may need assistance preparing for a storm.
• Be alert to changing weather conditions and avoid unnecessary travel.
• Let faucets drip a little to help prevent freezing.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.