Winter weather has arrived! If you haven’t taken precautions to protect your family and home for the season, there’s still time to prepare. Follow our tips and recommendations below, starting with:
- Keep your vehicle full of gasoline so that its fuel line will not freeze.
- Install (or inspect previously installed) storm windows to help insulate your home.
- Have your chimney and heating system inspected and cleaned.
- Find a reputable contractor who can test the integrity of your roof.
- Weather-strip your doors to prevent cold air and rain from getting in.
- Clean out your gutters to prevent debris from clogging and rain from overflowing onto your roof.
- Insulate your pipes with plastic to conserve energy and keep heat from escaping your home.
- Stock up on supplies before a storm hits (see recommendations below).
If a coming storm has the potential to keep you indoors for days, you’ll want to stock up on at least one gallon of water for every person in your household. Also, have at least three days’ worth of food that will not spoil. To be extra prepared, have these items on-hand as well:
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- First aid kit
- Medications
- Hygiene products
- Tools
- Charged smartphones
- A hand-crank radio
Additionally, just before the severe winter weather hits, you may want to have all your faucets drip; dripping faucets can keep pipes from freezing. Know how to turn off your water valve as well in case a pipe bursts.
Finally, discuss with your family what to do before a storm hits. Everyone should have a copy of an emergency contact list and know what to do before, during, and after a major storm.
It’s also worth downloading the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) app so that you can receive the latest weather alerts and warnings.
You can learn additional home and weather safety tips at our ALE Solutions blog.
