Here are steps to take to prepare for bitter cold, strong winds and other severe winter conditions.
Make sure you have extra batteries and other supplies.
Keep flashlights, extra batteries and extra blankets on hand, as well as a manual can opener, extra medicine, first aid supplies, emergency heat sources and a fire extinguisher, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a government agency. Stock up on foods that last a while without needing refrigeration, like dry cereal (and shelf-stable milk to go with it), nuts and protein bars. The National Weather Service recommends having at least a three-day supply of bottled drinking water, figured at a gallon per person per day.
Take steps to keep the heat in, and fumes out.
If the power goes out and you use a backup generator, make sure to run it only outdoors, more than 20 feet away from your home. It is crucial to have working carbon monoxide monitors on each floor. Do not try to heat your home with your oven, a camp stove or a charcoal-burning device. Never run a car engine with the garage door closed.
If your heat is working, you can retain warmth and save on utility bills by keeping curtains closed and using adhesive barrier tape or other materials to seal drafty windows. Place rolled-up towels or rags at the base of doors leading outside, and keep the doors of unoccupied rooms closed.
Ensure that your water pipes do not freeze.
Protect Your Pipes, an initiative funded by water and wastewater utilities in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, recommends making sure that your thermostat is set to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher during cold weather. Run the faucets that are farthest from your main valve, since even a trickle of water moving in the pipes can keep them from freezing. Open cupboards with pipes, like those under a kitchen or bathroom sink, to let in warm air. Before the freezing weather arrives, turn off water to outside spigots and drain water from the line.