Being prepared can make all the difference when cold weather arrives. A little planning now can protect your home and keep your family safe, so you can ride out winter storms comfortably. In this checklist, we’ll help you understand everything from weather alerts to the essential supplies you should keep in stock, so you can get ready for anything the season brings.
Understanding Winter Terminology to Stay Informed
Local weather alerts can help you know what to expect before a storm hits, but only if you know exactly what they mean. Some common terms you may see include:
- Winter Weather Outlook: Forecasters are monitoring the potential for a winter storm several days in advance.
- Winter Weather Watch: Conditions are favorable for a winter storm to develop. Use this time to double-check your emergency kit and make any last-minute preparations.
- Winter Weather Warning: Severe winter weather is occurring or imminent. Stay indoors and follow local updates to remain safe.
Knowing the differences between these notifications helps you act quickly and appropriately when the forecast suddenly changes.
Building Your Core Winter Storm Emergency Kit
A strong emergency kit is key to staying safe and comfortable during severe weather and power outages. Build a kit with these core items and store it somewhere safe and easily accessible.
- Water: Store at least one gallon of clean water per person for each day, enough to last at least three days. Include extra for pets or flushing toilets if needed.
- Food: Choose non-perishable foods like canned goods, granola bars, and dried fruit. Don’t forget to add a manual can opener or multitool in case of power loss.
- Heat: Store extra blankets, sleeping bags, and hand warmers. If you use a fireplace, keep it clean and ensure you have dry firewood available.
- Clothing: Pack spare gloves, socks, hats, waterproof boots, and layered clothing in case you need to venture outside.
- Shelter: Designate a warm, insulated room in your home as your “safe zone” during long outages. Close doors to any unused spaces to keep heat contained.
- Flashlights: Keep LED flashlights or lanterns in key areas of the home, and avoid using candles to reduce fire risk.
- Communication: Fully charge your phone before the storm and keep a battery-powered radio or portable charger nearby for updates and emergency broadcasts.
- First Aid: Include a stocked first aid kit with bandages, antiseptics, and any medications you may need for a few days. Ensure the case is waterproof and check expiration dates regularly, to make sure any medicine stored inside is still usable.
- Tools: Keep a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities if instructed. A multi-tool and sturdy shovel can also be useful for clearing snow and ice.
- Power Backup: Portable battery banks and solar chargers can keep phones and small devices powered through an extended outage.
- Cash: Keep a small amount of cash in small bills on hand if you absolutely need to venture out, since ATMs and card readers may not work during outages.
Additional Supplies to Consider Adding to Your Emergency Supply Kit
Beyond the core essentials, a few extra items can make life much easier during an extended outage. Tailor your kit to your household or small business so you’re always ready.
- Pet Food and Supplies: If you have furry family members, stock extra food, water, medications, and comfort items like blankets or toys for them. Keep leashes, collars, and waste bags handy in case you need to relocate quickly.
- Toiletries and Hygiene Products: Pack essential personal care items like toothpaste, deodorant, wipes, tissues, and toilet paper. Include feminine hygiene products and diapers if needed.
- Soap and Sanitizer: Handwashing is key to preventing illness during winter. Include bar soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes in case water is limited.
- Important Documents: Keep copies of your identification, home insurance papers, utility account numbers, and emergency contact information in a waterproof pouch. If you run a small business, include key vendor or client contact lists as well.
- Baby and Child Essentials: Stock formula, baby food, diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes. Small comfort items like books or stuffed animals can also help calm nerves during long outages.
- Small Business Essentials: If you run a small business, back up critical data to the cloud and store essential files on a USB or external hard drive. A surge protector can also help safeguard key electronics.
- Fun Activities: Pack books, puzzles, cards, or board games to keep everyone occupied during long hours indoors.
Home Winterization Tips
Once you’ve created your emergency kit, the next step in winter preparedness is making sure your home is ready to handle ice, snow, and freezing temperatures. Keeping your home in good shape before winter hits is one of the most effective ways to prevent damage and stay safe.
Exterior Maintenance
Check your roof and siding for any issues. Clear gutters and downspouts to prevent ice dams, which form when melting snow refreezes and backs up under shingles.
Trim any tree branches that hang near your home or power lines to reduce the risk of storm damage. You should also check exterior vents to ensure they’re free of leaves, snow, and debris.
Finally, check your driveway, stairs, and walkways. Apply de-icer or sand before storms to prevent slips and falls when you venture outside.
Preventing Burst Pipes
Frozen pipes are one of the most common winter emergencies, but they’re also one of the simplest to prevent. Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas like basements, attics, and garages using foam sleeves or wrapping tape. Opening cabinet doors under sinks also allows warm air to circulate around plumbing, preventing freezing.
You can also allow your faucets to drip slightly during extremely cold nights to keep water moving. If you’ll be away from home during a storm, set your thermostat to at least 55°F to keep interior temperatures stable enough to prevent damage.
Carbon Monoxide and Fire Safety
Make sure your heating systems and detectors are working properly before windows and doors stay closed all winter. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly and replace batteries twice a year.
If you use space heaters, place them on flat, stable surfaces at least three feet away from anything flammable. Never use an oven or stove to heat your home, and have your chimney inspected and cleaned before using your fireplace. A little prevention goes a long way toward keeping your family safe.
Weatherproofing Windows and Doors
Inspect window frames and door seals for drafts. Adding weatherstripping or caulk can prevent heat loss and lower the workload on your furnace or boiler, keeping it efficient all winter. You can also use insulated curtains or thermal film to block cold air and retain warmth.
Storm Prep Timeline
When winter weather comes, knowing what to do at the right times can help you stay calm and prepared. Here’s a simple storm prep timeline to help you protect your home and family during every stage of a winter event.
How to Prepare Before a Winter Storm
- Monitor the forecast so you know when to act.
- Stock up on essentials for your emergency kit, so you have enough food, water, and supplies for at least three days.
- Charge and check all devices, including cell phones, flashlights, and portable chargers.
- Prepare your heating system by replacing filters and checking your thermostat.
- Prevent frozen pipes by opening cabinet doors and letting faucets drip.
- Secure any outdoor property, like grills or garbage bins, that could blow away in strong winds.
- Check your EnergyGuard® coverage to see if any needed repairs on your heating system are covered* before paying out of pocket.
How to Handle a Storm When It’s Happening
- Stay indoors and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.
- Layer up with clothing and blankets to retain body heat.
- Use heat from battery-powered heaters or fireplaces safely and keep ventilation open.
- Preserve phone batteries by using battery-saving mode and limiting nonessential use.
- Unplug sensitive electronics like TVs and computers to prevent damage from power surges.
- Stay informed using a battery-powered radio or your phone to listen for updates on power restoration or emergency instructions.
What to Do After a Winter Storm
- Inspect your property for downed power lines or damaged siding, and immediately report any hazards to your utility company.
- Check your electrical and heating systems and listen for any unusual sounds. If it isn’t working, call a professional for service and check for covered repairs with EnergyGuard.
- Shovel walkways and driveways carefully to prevent slipping.
- Restock any used supplies from your emergency kit and note any gaps for next time.
- Check on older neighbors or anyone who may need help recovering from the storm.
Keep Comfort and Safety in Check With Agway
Preparing for winter storms is key to protecting your home and keeping your systems running. Taking simple precautions like sealing leaks and building an emergency kit keeps you prepared for anything winter brings.
A routine maintenance check can help identify issues with your home electrical systems before winter storms hit. If any issues are found, check your Agway EnergyGuard program first to see if they’re covered before paying out of pocket. Call Agway Energy Services® for trusted vendor referrals if you need help with professional tune-ups or repairs.
Sign up with Agway today for reliable energy supply and added repair protection through Agway EnergyGuard, so you can face the winter season confidently.
Winter Preparedness FAQs
Where are the best places to store my emergency kits?
You should store your home emergency kit in an easily accessible location away from extreme temperatures, such as in a basement or interior closet. You can also keep smaller kits in your car and at work for emergencies away from home.
How often should I check or refresh my emergency kit?
Check your kit at least every six months and replace any expired food, batteries, or medications. Adjust supplies as your needs change.
When should I start preparing my emergency kit?
The earlier the better! If you don’t already have an emergency kit, put one together right away, so you have everything ready before the first major storm warning. If you live in a particularly cold area, you may want to start preparing as early as late summer.
What’s the most important thing to remember during a winter storm?
Staying calm, informed, and safe is key. Follow local advisories and avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve.
*Coverage depends on commodity purchased.
