Some advanced preparation will go a long way towards keeping you, your family, and your property safe from winter’s icy, snowy storms.

Ready.gov offers useful tips for before, during, and after winter storm events. To help ensure you’re ready for winter, they suggest:

• Before winter approaches, add the following supplies to your home emergency kit:
  • Rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency for a complete list of recommended products.
  • Sand to improve traction.
  • Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.
  • Sufficient heating fuel. You may become isolated in your home and regular fuel sources may be cut off. Store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
  • Adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm.

• Make a Family Communications Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency.
• Download FEMA’s Be Smart. Know Your Alerts and Warnings for a summary of notifications at: ready.gov/prepare. Free smart phone apps, such as those available from FEMA and the American Red Cross, provide information about finding shelters, providing first aid, and seeking assistance for recovery.
• Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water.

Don’t forget about your vehicle’s emergency kit. Be sure you include the following before the temperatures begin to plummet:

• A shovel
• Windshield scraper and small broom
• Flashlight
• Battery powered radio
• Extra batteries
• Water
• Snack food
• Matches
• Extra hats, socks and mittens
• First aid kit with pocket knife
• Necessary medications
• Blanket(s)
• Tow chain or rope
• Road salt and sand
• Booster cables
• Emergency flares
• Fluorescent distress flag

When winter storms blanket our regions, safe driving becomes paramount. Summit offers a suite of winter driving safety training courses to get your employees ready for the cold months ahead. Click here to learn more.