- Develop a family communications plan.
- Make a Ready kit with supplies for at least three days.
- Familiarize yourself with winter weather terms.
- Keep space heater safety in mind: Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches and non-glowing elements. Keep all heat sources at least three feet away from furniture and drapes.
- Prepare your home:
- Check your insulation. Install weather stripping around your doors and window sills.
- Install a working carbon monoxide detector.
- Clean and inspect your chimney annually.
- Have at least one of the following heat sources in case the power goes out:
- Extra blankets, sleeping bags and warm winter coats
- Fireplace or wood-burning stove with plenty of dry firewood, or a gas log fireplace
- Kerosene heater, with proper ventilation.
- Prepare your vehicle:
- Winterize your vehicle: Have a mechanic check antifreeze, brakes, heater and defroster, tires, and windshield wipers to ensure they are in good shape. Keep your gas tank at least half full.
- Keep an extra Ready kit in the trunk of your car. In addition to the basic essentials, consider adding a portable cell phone charger, ice scraper, extra blanket, sand for traction and jumper cables.
- Make sure you have a cell phone with an emergency charging option (car, solar, hand crank, etc.) in case of power failure.
- Know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is located and how to operate it in case you lose power.
- Fill a gallon container with water and place them in the freezer to help keep food cold.
Get Ready for Winter Weather and Ice Storms
Winter storms result in extreme cold, downed power lines and blocked roads and highways.
Before Winter Weather
During Winter Weather
- Monitor NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, television or internet for the latest winter weather watches and warnings.
- Download the Ready Georgia app.
- Check on elderly/disabled relatives and neighbors.
- Allow faucets to drip to avoid freezing.
- Open cabinet doors to allow heat to warm uninsulated pipes beneath sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
- Winter storms are often accompanied by power outages. Always exercise caution when using alternative light and heating sources:
- Use flashlights during power outages instead of candles to prevent the risk of fire, and have plenty of extra batteries on-hand.
- Never use an oven to heat your home. Never bring portable generators, camp stoves and grills into your home; they should only be used outside. Keep them at least 20 feet away from your home’s windows, doors and vents to prevent deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Follow tips for keeping food safe in an emergency.
- Watch for frostbite. Warning signs include white or grayish-yellow skin, numbness and skin that feels unusually firm or waxy.
- Watch for signs of hypothermia, including shivering, memory loss, fumbling hands, slurred speech and drowsiness. Follow directions from local officials about driving during snow and ice storms, and drive with caution.