Heat safely when the power fails
- Stock warm layers, blankets, and cold-rated sleeping bags
- Close off unused rooms to concentrate heat in one space
- Never heat your home with a gas stove, oven, or outdoor grill
- Keep generators and fuel heaters outside, far from windows and doors
Carbon monoxide is the hidden danger
Most winter-storm deaths come from carbon monoxide, not the cold. Install battery-powered CO alarms and never run an engine, generator, or grill indoors or in an attached garage.
Prevent frozen and burst pipes
- Let faucets drip during extreme cold to keep water moving
- Open cabinet doors so warm air reaches pipes under sinks
- Know where your main water shutoff is in case a pipe bursts
- Insulate exposed pipes in basements, garages, and crawl spaces
Winterize your vehicle
Keep your gas tank at least half full, and carry a winter car kit: blankets, water, snacks, a flashlight, jumper cables, and sand or cat litter for traction. If you're stranded, stay with your vehicle.
Know your cold-weather exposure
Homes with electric heat, well water, or older insulation are hit hardest by winter storms. Prepit flags these weak points in your readiness score so you can shore them up before the first freeze.