Normally, the thought of being snowed in conjures images of comfy clothes, hot cocoa and snuggling up next to the fireplace -- and that all sounds great. But if you’re not prepared when a winter storm strikes, you could be in for a really rough time.
Here are five tips for making sure that you stay safe, comfy and connected during a winter storm:
1. Stock up on food and water
Make sure you have a few days’ worth of meals and water in your house before the storm hits. You can’t always rely on takeout!
2. Make sure your prescriptions are filled
If you take any medications regularly, fill up before the storm. You could be indoors for a few days so it helps to know you’re well-stocked before you hunker down.
3. Watch out for hypothermia and frost-bite These are two of the most common and dangerous issues associated with extremely low temps. Make sure you know the signs and watch out for them.
4. Keep your devices charged
Power outages are very common during winter storms. If a storm is coming, make sure your laptops, smartphones, and tablets are fully charged. Tablets tend to have longer battery life than phones. Therefore, during an outage, it’s best to rely on your tablet first and use your phone sparingly.
5. Make sure your data is backed up and accessible
Power outages can cause your computer to shut down unexpectedly and you could lose any data you didn’t save. Use an automated backup tool so that if you lose power, your digital files will be protected and easy to recover. As a best practice we recommend a backup that makes it easily to access your data through the web and mobile devices. That way, if you’re stuck somewhere away from your computer, you can still access your data.
When disaster strikes, it’s important to take care of yourself, your family and your neighbors. And remember: Snowstorms aren’t the only times to make use of these tips. Most of these lessons also apply to hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other disasters.
For more practical advice on how to prepare for extreme winter weather, watch this quick video from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
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