This is a guest post by Scott Haas, Manager, Motorcycle Safety Training Program.

Let’s face it – winter has been known to throw a few wrenches into our well-made plans for a safe and happy winter wonderland. Power outages and dangerous travel conditions are just two of the things we have to deal with. The good news is that most emergencies can be managed with a little advanced planning and preparation.

Here is a handy checklist to keep you prepared for winter:

• Prepare your home
  • Make sure smoke alarms and CO₂ detectors are working properly, especially if you have wood burning or kerosene heaters (always follow manufacturers recommendations on usage)
  • A generator with enough power output to operate a small heater can be a lifesaver in any weather emergency (always follow manufacturers recommendations on usage)
  • Make sure exterior water faucets are of the frost-free variety and that any water lines in an exterior wall are protected from freezing
    • Burst pipes can cause many issues with property damage and loss
• Pay attention to weather reports, especially when a potential storm has been identified. This may give you enough time to prepare
• Gather supplies in case you are forced to stay home for several days
  • If you don’t have a generator, batteries or portable power banks are a must for extended power outages
    • You may need to limit device usage to preserve power
  • Food and clean drinking water for several days are essential components for any emergency preparedness kit
  • Don’t forget the medicines your family and or pets may need
• Create an emergency kit for your car if you must be travelling during the winter months (see previous CE blog post)
• Dress properly for the weather and learn the signs and treatments for cold weather injuries such as frostbite and hypothermia
  • Dressing in multiple layers is more beneficial than using one heavy layer by allowing you to adjust for changes
• Make sure your snow removal equipment; shovel or snow blower, are handy and in working condition

Learn More:

• For information on disaster preparedness, including weather emergencies, visit:  https://www.ready.gov/
• For information on recognizing the symptoms of and treatment for cold weather injuries visit: https://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/discond/cip/Pages/Cold-Weather-Casualties-and-Injuries.aspx
• For information to prevent pipes from freezing and what to do if that should happen visit: https://www.libertymutual.com/property-insurance/homeowners/prevent-frozen-pipes