How to prepare for winter storms

Winterk arrivesk withk fanfarek ask Christmasxk Chanukahk andk Newk YearsskEvek all kt akek place kwi think daysk of k the ki rstkdaykofk the k season. kP artiesk andk shoppingk mayk distractk peoplek from kt hek weather k around kt hemxkbutk afterk resolutionsk arek madek andk thek decorationskarekpackedkawayxkitssknotk long k before kitssk time ktok con front kw in te rss kw rath.k

Storms karek commonplace kinkJa nu aryk andk February k ink manyk partsk ofk thek worldxk andk evenk Marchk stormsk arek notkunheardk of.k Knowingk howk tok preparek fork stormsk cank keepk peoplek saferk andk preventk homek damage.k Ifk ak stormk isk forecastedxk followk thesek guidelines.

• Charge a mobile phone and other electro nick devices ktokfullk battery kinadv an cekofk the ks tor mk ink casekpowerk goeskout.

• Stock the home with extra batteries fork gashlightsk andk battery-poweredk d ev icesxksuchk ask ak portable kr ad io.

• Invest in a car charger to charge

devices k if kt hek power kiskoutk forks omek time.

• Keep a supply of canned or boxed nonperishable kite msxk ask wellk ask conve ni encek foods kt hatkdok not knee dktok be kcookedxk like kg ran olak bars.

• Periodically check to ensure that the k ir st kaidkk it kisk stocked k with kite msk that have not expired.

• Refill medications so that they are on khandk ink the keventk weather km akesk itk challenging ktok get ktok the ks tore.

•Keep emergency supplies of bottledk water. k If kyoukforg et kt hisx kill kt hek bathtub up with fresh water. Extra water k will k be knee dedk fork toilet k gushing kifk your ski ska ksep tick system.

• Have warm blankets on hand and sleeping kb agsk fork eachk person k ink thek home.

• Unplug all electronic devices if the powerk goesk outk tok protectk againstk ak surgek andk d am agek whenk thek power kisk restored.

• Exercise cautionk when k burningkc and lesxk optingk fork flashlightsk and kl an tern skin stead.

•If it’s very cold outside, move refrigeratedkandk frozen kite msk outdoors ksok

theyk dok notk spoilk ink ank unpoweredk refrigerator.

• Do not use gas stoves, charcoal grillsk ork otherk open-gamek heatk s our cesk fork warmth kin doors. kC ar bonk monoxide gas can build up inside andkprovekdeadly.

•Follow the manufacturer’ s instructionsk when ku sin gk ak backup k gene rat ork forkpower.

• Stock up on gasoline for vehicles and ktok power kg as-drivenk generators.

• Use power company websites and appsk to kreportk outagesk and ks taykap pr is edkofk restoration ks tat us.

• Be cautious of downed power lines ink the k area kw henkdri vin gk ork walking.

Winterk stormsk cank bek beautifulk butk dangerousk withoutk amplek preparation.k