Preparing Your Home and Family

Review and update your family emergency plan.
Replenish your emergency supply kits including battery-operated radio and flashlights.
Have extra blankets on hand.
Have a plan for meeting the needs of infants, children, seniors and those with disabilities.
Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family,
neighbors, livestock or equipment. Clear rain gutters; repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches
that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.
Move family pets indoors or to an enclosure out of the elements. Likewise protect livestock or other
large animals from the cold weather.
Move plants indoors or cover with blankets or plastic to prevent freezing.
Maintain a sufficient supply of heating fuel.
Insulate pipes and allow faucets to drip during cold weather to avoid freezing.
Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them.
House fires pose an additional risk, as people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the
necessary safety precautions.
Do NOT bring heating devices into the home that are intended for outdoor use, such as barbecues
and other cooking equipment or other fuel-burning devices. These items can produce deadly
carbon monoxide.
Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).

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