A Winter Preparation Checklist

Winter storms can bring rain, snow, wind and freezing cold temperatures. Are you ready? Preparing well and making a plan can make a big difference in safety and peace of mind as you enter into the winter months.  With a few important tips, you can increase your ability to stay safe and quickly recover following a winter squall.

How many of these tasks have you already done in preparation for the winter months?

ü  Receive local weather alerts WEA Messages. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are emergency messages sent by authorized government alerting authorities through your mobile phone. Government partners include local and state public safety agencies, FEMA, the FCC, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Weather Service.

No signup is required! Alerts are sent automatically to WEA-capable phones during an emergency. Make sure that Emergency Alerts are turned on with your cell phone. What types of alerts will you receive?

• Extreme Weather and Hydrologic Warnings

•  Local emergencies requiring evacuation or immediate action

• AMBER Alerts

• Presidential Alerts during a national emergency

Devise an emergency plan with family members.

Just talking about how emergencies will be handled, who you might stay with, or who to call will give you peace of mind knowing that someone will be available to help.

Stock home emergency supplies.

Have a cellphone.

• Invest in a portable, non-electric phone charger to have on hand when the power is out.  Your phone is one of the most important tools during an emergency.

•   If you are using a mobile phone, a text message may get through when a phone call will not. This is because a text message requires far less bandwidth than a phone call. Text messages may also save and then send automatically as soon as capacity becomes available.

• Store at least one emergency contact under the name “In Case of Emergency” or “ICE” for all mobile phones and devices. This will help someone identify your emergency contact if needed.

• Create a group list on all mobile phones and devices of the people you would need to communicate with if there was an emergency or disaster

  Consider joining a neighborhood Community Emergency Response Team

•   The national CERT program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

Make sure your car is prepared for emergencies.

•   Create an emergency supply kit for your car. Include jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water, and non-perishable snacks.

• Keep the gas tank full.

 Winterize your home

• Insulate pipes

•  Allow faucets to drip a little during freezing to prevent pipes from freezing.

• Cover windows with plastic to keep the cold out.

There are many tools available to prepare for emergencies, but the key is to actually use them and to be prepared before a surprise situation arises. Taking time to investigate and educate yourself and your family ahead of time can take the fear out of the unknown. For more information regarding many types of disasters and emergencies, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has created an excellent source for you to find out more.

CRISTA Senior Living is connecting & celebrating generations through grace, compassion & inspiration, you can find out more at www.cristaseniorliving.org