Make sure family, home, car are prepared for severe weather

No matter where you live, the weather can be unpredictable any time of year.

Storms can disrupt your family’s routine, but a little preparation can mean reducing the stress that unexpected weather events can cause.

You may not be able to control the weather, but you can control how you prepare for and respond to inclement conditions. Preparing for storms or other weather conditions just takes a few practical, proactive steps that can save you time and money and give you peace of mind.

Making sure your family, your vehicle and your home are ready for whatever the weather brings is worth the investment.

PREP YOUR FAMILY Make sure each family member is equipped with everyone’s phone numbers — on paper, not just on phones, in case batteries go dead or service is inaccessible.

Create a practical plan for what to do if school buses are delayed or canceled, or if Mom and Dad can’t get home from work on time.

Designate safe places for everyone to go or meet in the neighborhood during a weather emergency.

Make sure older children who may be home alone know where to find emergency supplies, such as flashlights, if the power goes out before parents can get home, so the children feel confident about handling any unexpected situation.

PREP YOUR CAR

Invest in the best tires you can afford, and ensure that they’re in tip-top condition to protect you and your family during icy or snowy weather.

Check your tire pressure to make sure it is at the optimal level recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer, since tire pressure can decrease around 1 PSI per every 10 degrees the temperature goes down.

Make sure you have a good spare tire with the correct tire pressure.

Keep your vehicle gassed up when temperatures are colder to prevent gas-line freezing, and make sure you’re caught up on maintenance, such as oil changes, safety inspections and manufacturer recalls.

Make room in your trunk for emergency supplies, such as jumper cables, a first-aid kit, blankets and a safety flare, in case you are stuck in your car for any length of time.

PREP YOUR HOME Prepare for any weather conditions by assembling an easily accessible emergency box, complete with flashlights and spare batteries, bottled water and nonperishable food, plus a first-aid kit.

Next, be prepared for power outages as a result of weather events by investing in a home generator, if possible.

Automatic standby generators from Kohler are permanently installed outside a home, similar to a central air-conditioning unit. The generators connect to a home’s electrical system and run on natural gas or propane.

When power is lost, automatic standby generators turn on within 10 seconds, even when nobody is home, and units can be remotely monitored from a smartphone or laptop.

Larger generators can power everything from lights and HVAC systems to sump pumps and home-security systems. Smaller units can power a few key circuits. Having a generator can prevent a host of inconveniences, from food spoilage and lost communications to loss of heat and lighting.