Winter Weather is Here

Anytime there is a winter storm, you need to ensure you are ready for the possibility of losing power.

But there are things you can do today to be prepared for bad weather.

Follow the tips below to help prepare you and your family in the event that your area loses electricity. And download the Red Cross Emergency App for more helpful tips. The app can be found in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Power Outage Preparedness Checklist: Before: gather supplies including nonperishable food, water and prescription medication into a go-bag, make a plan for how you will stay warm and keep food fresh if you lose electricity, keep a paper copy of important phone numbers, research community warming centers nearby. During: Unplug appliances and electronics to avoid damage from a power surge. Do not use a gas stove for heating your home. Do not use outdoor cooking stoves like grills inside. If you use a generator, make sure it is in a well-ventilated outdoor area away from windows. After: avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles and wires. Do not go into any flooded areas or use electrical equipment that may have been underwater. If you are experiencing stress or anxiety related to the outage, contact the free Disaster Distress helpline at 1-800-985-5990

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