By FPL_Ryan
Winter storms have been a massive problem over the past couple of years in Texas. Here are a few ways to prepare yourself and your home from possible damage in case a winter storm occurs.
Items to have
- Enough nonperishable food and bottled water to last for 1 week for family and pets, about 1 gallon a day per person
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Extra warm clothes
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Something to provide traction for car tires, such as sand or cat litter
- For any medications, have enough to last throughout the 1-2 weeks
- Charger banks for continued cell phone charge if power is out
- Car has a full tank of gas in case you need to use it
- Candles or mini lanterns for lighting
- Battery backup for charging phones
- Manual can opener for nonperishable food
- Firewood, fire starters, and lighters if you have a fireplace
- Make sure First Aid Kit is up to date
- Shovel to move snow/ice if you need to drive or evacuate
- Booster cables to start up a car
Plans to put in place
- If you are on dialysis or a medical device that needs power, contact your doctor ahead of time about a plan in case of a power outage.
- Have access to shut off the water for your home.
- Have a phone number to an emergency plumber ready.
- Roll towels to cover windows and underneath doors to keep heat inside.
- Have access to CodeRed to get localized alerts to your area.
- Insulate your water pipes.
- Make sure the carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries.
Further Resources:
Frisco Emergency Preparedness & CodeRED Emergency Notification System, opens a new window
National Weather Service, opens a new window
Ready.gov: Winter Weather, opens a new window
American Red Cross: Winter Storm Preparedness, opens a new window
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