10 Essential Steps to Prepare for Winter Storms

Winter storms are becoming more unpredictable. Remember the freeze in Texas? The snowstorm in California? Even if you live in an area that isn’t likely to get harsh winter conditions, it can happen at any time. It’s especially important to be prepared for it if you live in an area that has no infrastructure to handle such winter storms, like a southern state.

But no matter where you live, being prepared for these events can mean helping your family and household stay safe and warm during harsh times.

Here are 10 essential steps you can take to ensure your household is prepared for whatever winter throws your way.

1. Create an Emergency Supplies Kit

Start by assembling a winter-specific emergency kit. Include items such as:

• Extra blankets and warm clothing
• Zero degree sleeping bags
• Flashlights, headlamps and lanterns with spare batteries
• Non-perishable food and bottled water (enough for at least 3 days per person, but 2 weeks worth is an even better time frame to shoot for)
• A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• First aid supplies, including any OTC or prescription meds you may need to have on hand, a 30 day supply is a good place to start
• Portable phone chargers
• Snow shovels and ice melt for clearing paths
• Hand warmers

This doesn’t have to all be inside of one kit, but they should be pulled out and made easily accessible to everyone in the household.

Click here to download my free checklists.

2. Insulate Your Home

Prevent heat loss by:

• Sealing drafts around windows and doors with weatherstripping or caulk
• Adding insulation to your attic or basement
• Using heavy curtains to retain heat
• Closing off unused rooms to conserve energy in heated spaces

3. Plan for Power Outages

Winter storms often cause power outages, so be ready with:

• Alternative source of heat like a Mr. Buddy Heater, wood stove, fireplace, etc.
• Candles, matches and lighters
• Generator; gas, propane and/or solar
• Extra fuel supplies like propane or gasoline
• Alternative source to cook with like a Coleman camp stove

4. Prepare Your Vehicle

If you need to travel during a storm, ensure your vehicle is ready:

• Keep your gas tank at least half full
• Pack an emergency car kit with blankets, snacks, water, and a first aid kit
• Check your tires, brakes, and windshield wipers for winter readiness
• Keep an ice scraper, small shovel, car jump starter, and sand or cat litter for traction in your car

5. Stock Up on Food and Water

While 3 days is the absolute minimum recommended supply of food and water, I recommend 2 weeks worth, because even if you’re able to leave your home, it may still be tough to get supplies to the grocery stores. Not to mention the fact that people tend to clear out grocery stores when there’s bad storms coming. You don’t want to go to the store. Be ready and stocked up.

• Canned items such as: soups, vegetables, fruits, meats, beans, fish, etc.
• Granola bars and trail mix
• Freeze dried foods
• MRE’s
• Dehydrated meals in a jar
• Pasta, rice and beans
• Peanut butter and crackers
• Shelf-stable milk (like powdered milk)
• Two gallons of water per person, per day.

Stock up on food that your family will eat and you know how to prepare and cook with.

6. Monitor Weather Updates

Stay informed about incoming storms by:

• Downloading weather apps with alert features
• Keeping a battery-operated radio like a NOAA weather radio for updates
• Learning the terminology used in forecasts, Winter storm watch means: there is a possibility of heavy snow or ice within the next 24-48 hours but it’s not certain yet so get ready and keep an eye out. Winter warning means: it is occurring or expect to occur within the next 24-36 hours, so hunker down.

7. Prepare Your Pipes

Frozen pipes can cause significant damage. Prevent this by:

• Insulating pipes in unheated areas, such as basements, outside or garages
• Letting faucets drip slightly during extreme cold to prevent freezing
• Knowing where your water shut-off valve is in case a pipe bursts and learn how to turn it off

8. Safeguard Against Frostbite and Hypothermia

Understanding how to stay warm and recognizing warning signs is critical:

• Dress in layers, including a base layer that wicks moisture away, synthetics and merino wool work good, avoid cotton
• Avoid prolonged exposure to cold and wet conditions
• Watch for signs of frostbite (numbness, white or gray skin) and hypothermia (shivering, confusion, slurred speech)

9. Have a Family Communication Plan

Make sure everyone in your household knows what to do during a storm:

• Designate a safe, warm area in your home to gather
• Share contact information and discuss how to communicate if separated
• Keep a written list of emergency contacts, including neighbors and local shelters

Click here if you’d like to create your emergency disaster plan.

10. Don’t Forget About Pets

Your furry friends need preparation too:

• Stock up on pet food, water, and any needed medications and first aid specifically for them
• Provide warm, dry bedding
• Make sure livestock has a dry, wind/draft free area to bed down

Final Thoughts

Weather has always been unpredictable. We can take the time now to get ready, and you’ll thank yourself later.

Remember, even if nothing happens, this preparedness can always be used in the future for anything else you may need to be prepared for. Now is the time to get prepared and stay prepared!