It may be hard to predict what Mother Nature has in store this winter, but that doesn’t mean you can't be prepared. Here are six tips to prepare for winter weather, according to FOX News meteorologist Janice Dean . (Reuters)
Stock Up on Emergency Supplies
You should keep a two-week supply of food, water and extra medication. "Have things ready at get go," says Dean. If you can afford it, buy a generator with fuel in case you lose power.
Tip: Keep a bin of supplies with matches, candles, bottled water,and a fire extinguisher handy so you can grab it quickly if needed. (Reuters)
Have Extra Shovels
"You always want to make sure you can get out of your driveway in case the streets are closed and firefighters aren’t able to get to you, "says Dean. If you don't own a snow blower, a much cheaper alternative is to have an extra shovel on hand. You should also have rock salt or sand to melt the ice spots on your driveway. (AP)
Insulate Your Home
There are simple steps you can take to keep your home warm, according to Dean. If you know a storm is headed your way seal doors, caulk windows (you can even do this in the fall if you're bored) and make sure all windows are shut. If you have a fireplace, make sure it's cleaned out and you have dry firewood to keep warm. (Reuters)
Charge Batteries for Electronics
It's not the worst thing in the world to have no phone, Internet or computer access for a day or two, but it's always good to have fully-charged batteries ready in case you need to power something up. Dean also suggest purchasing a radio that you can crank, to skip reliance on batteries. (Energizer)
Keep Phone Numbers Handy
Keep numbers to your pharmacy, doctors and relatives handy and on paper—if you do lose power, you don’t want to waste your battery life on your cell phone to search for a numbers.
Tip: Pick a spot, like on your refrigerator, to keep the list so you will automatically know where to find it in an emergency.
Get To Know Your Neighbors
This may come in handy when it's time to shovel--it's never a bad thing to have extra help. "Don't forget to check up in the elderly," adds Dean. (Reuters)