What Kind of Preparation Should Be Taken to Help Get Through Snowstorms?

Around the House

• To ensure that your home and possessions survive the blizzard intact, you can make some preparations. Insulate your water heater, and inspect all of the insulation around your interior and exterior pipes. Cold temperatures can cause them to burst. Store emergency supplies of food, water and fuel in case the storm prevents you from leaving the house for an extended period of time. Conserve heat more efficiently by insulating around doors, windows, outlets and attics. Block drafts by surrounding your windows with plastic or stuffing rolled blankets under doors or in cracks. You may even consider only providing heat to certain rooms of the house.

In Your Car

• It's a good idea to stock your car with emergency supplies. Keep your trunk full of extra food, water, blankets, coats, gloves and hats. You should also have a shovel, sand, rope, tire chains, jumper cables and a bright cloth for signaling. To help make sure your car will survive the cold temperatures, perform routine checks of the electrical system, battery and headlights. Flush the radiator and have extra antifreeze on hand. It's never advisable to drive in snowstorm conditions, but if you must, always tell someone where you're going and how long you plan to be gone.

Your Body

• Avoid going outside if you don't have to. If you must leave shelter, dress to conserve heat and protect your body. Wear multiple layers of clothing; this will offer more warmth than a single coat. Put on a hat or cap, and cover your mouth. Boots will provide extra traction, or you can put duct tape on the soles of your shoes for better traction. Prevent falls by covering icy areas with rock salt, sand or cat litter. Always be mindful of the wind chill factor, which can drastically reduce the outside temperature and put you in danger of frostbite or hypothermia.

During and After the Storm

• Stay indoors throughout the duration of the storm, monitoring any developments by television or a battery-powered radio. Keep warm water dripping through faucets to prevent pipes from freezing. If you have pets, bring them inside and put them on a leash or inside a carrier.
  Once the blizzard has passed and everyone is safe, check your area for broken water lines and other property damage. Stay away from any unstable or damaged areas. If you discover any fallen power lines, report them to the utility company.