| As we prepare for winter weather to head our way, here are 60 precautions to consider to ensure you stay safe and warm. |
BEFORE THE STORM (24–48 HOURS AHEAD) |
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| 1. Charge all phones, power banks, tablets, and rechargeable lanterns. |
| 2. Fill vehicle gas tanks in case stations lose power. |
| 3. Get cash in small bills in case card systems go down. |
| 4. Pick up prescriptions and essential medications early. |
| 5. Download movies, books, and maps for offline use. |
| 6. Identify one warm room in the house to “camp out” if power fails. |
| 7. Locate water shut-off valve and breaker box now, not later. |
| 8. Set fridge and freezer to colder settings to hold temperature longer. |
WATER AND PIPE PROTECTION |
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| 9. Drip faucets on exterior walls when temps drop below freezing. |
| 10. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air circulation. |
| 11. Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor spigots. |
| 12. Cover outdoor faucets with insulated caps or towels. |
| 13. Know how to shut off water quickly if a pipe bursts. |
| 14. Fill jugs, buckets, or bathtub with water for flushing and washing. |
FOOD AND KITCHEN PREP |
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| 15. Keep 3–5 days of no-cook food: peanut butter, tuna, bread, crackers, canned meat, fruit cups. |
| 16. Have manual can opener available. |
| 17. Buy shelf-stable milk or powdered milk if needed. |
| 18. Freeze a few water bottles to act as freezer “ice packs.” |
| 19. Keep a cooler ready to move fridge food outside if power is out and temps are below freezing. |
| 20. Avoid stocking large amounts of perishables right before the storm. |
HEAT AND HOME SAFETY |
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| 21. Gather extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm layers. |
| 22. If using a fireplace, confirm chimney is clear and have dry wood. |
| 23. Never run generators or grills inside garages or homes. |
| 24. Test smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors. |
| 25. Have at least one flashlight per person plus spare batteries. |
| 26. Use battery lanterns instead of candles when possible. |
VEHICLE AND TRAVEL |
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| 27. Plan to avoid driving once freezing rain begins. |
| 28. Bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads freeze first. |
| 29. Keep in the car: blanket, water, snacks, phone charger, gloves. |
| 30. Replace old wiper blades and top off washer fluid. |
| 31. Park away from large tree limbs when possible. |
| 32. Assume flights and travel may be disrupted for days. |
POWER OUTAGE PLAN |
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| 33. Unplug sensitive electronics to avoid surge damage. |
| 34. Keep one battery radio or weather app for updates. |
| 35. Use surge protectors for TVs and computers. |
| 36. Know where warming centers may be in your parish. |
| 37. Have extension cords ready if using a generator outside. |
| 38. Keep refrigerator closed to preserve cold air. |
PETS AND LIVESTOCK |
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| 39. Bring pets indoors with extra food and water. |
| 40. Provide outdoor animals with unfrozen water sources. |
| 41. Add straw or blankets to outdoor shelters. |
| 42. Keep leashes and carriers accessible in case of evacuation. |
MEDICAL AND SPECIAL NEEDS |
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| 43. Keep a written list of medications and dosages. |
| 44. Store a small first-aid kit with thermometer and basic meds. |
| 45. Have backup batteries for medical devices. |
| 46. Identify a place with power you could relocate to if needed. |
PROPERTY PROTECTION |
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| 47. Move vehicles away from trees or power lines. |
| 48. Secure outdoor furniture and lightweight items. |
| 49. Avoid trimming trees during the storm—do it beforehand. |
| 50. Photograph property for insurance before conditions worsen. |
DURING THE STORM |
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| 51. Do not drive unless absolutely necessary. |
| 52. Assume downed lines are live and dangerous. |
| 53. Use only safe indoor heating methods. |
| 54. Check on neighbors, especially elderly, by phone if possible. |
| 55. Report outages to utility companies rather than 911 unless it’s an emergency. |
AFTER THE STORM |
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| 56. Walk carefully—ice may refreeze overnight. |
| 57. Check pipes for leaks as temperatures rise. |
| 58. Throw out refrigerated food if above 40°F for more than 4 hours. |
| 59. Avoid DIY electrical repairs around downed lines. |
| 60. Be patient—restoring power after ice can take several days. |