Home is where the heart is. Okay, sure. It’s a very sweet sentiment. And yet, at risk of taking it too lightly, “warm and fuzzy” notions aren’t nearly enough to get you and your family through a winter storm – before, during, and after.

It takes real planning, preparedness, and alertness. Plus, there’s a lot to remember. So, rather than present you with an exhaustive list, here’s one to get you started and hopefully encourage you to investigate other means to minimize the damage and physical harm a winter storm can cause.

Pre-Storm Activity

• Make sure you have a snow shovel and ice melt to keep walkways clear and safe.
• Check that you have enough heating fuel for your home and portable generator. If you have a family member who requires a constant supply of electricity, consider getting them into a health care facility throughout the storm period or, for the long haul, how about a whole-house generator?
• Keep an abundant supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood burning stove.
• Keep your warm clothing handy and stock up on non-perishable food and bottled water.
• Turn your heat up ahead of expected power outages but DON’T close off any rooms not in use – that serves only to restrict airflow.
• Are your pipes wrapped in heated electrical tape or foam insulation? If not, and you lose heat, keep water on at a trickle to prevent pipes from freezing.
• Charge your battery-powered communications devices.
• Get out your flashlights, batteries, first aid kit and other emergency supplies.

During the Storm

• If you start a wood-burning fire, follow all fireplace or woodstove safety precautions.
• Do not use an oven or a range for heat.
• Portable generators should be used outside so they can properly vent carbon monoxide emissions.
• Test all smoke and CO alarms to ensure they work properly.
• Do not let candles burn unattended, and keep them away from flammable objects – not to mention small children.
• Drive only if you absolutely must and use a car only if it’s snow worthy. Even then, load the trunk with sand or rock salt, extra gas, a shovel, and other emergency supplies.
• Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing layers of warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.
• Stay away from downed power lines.
• Keep your pets inside or make other suitable arrangements for them.

Sounds pretty grim, doesn’t it? Well, it can be, and even more so without everything it takes to safely ride out a storm. Here’s one more thing to help you prepare. Contact C&D Heating & Cooling for annual heating system maintenance. Even without a loss of power your heating system can still fail or breakdown if it hasn’t been properly cared for. And then you’ll have to worry about a heating company being able to reach your home during the worst of the storm.  So, don’t wait for the worst – prepare for it with C&D today.