It doesn’t take sub-zero temperatures or blizzard conditions to make winter dangerous. Flurries and cold temperatures can create icy conditions hazardous to your home and the road. Awareness, preparedness and a strong dose of common sense will help keep you safe.

Start with your home
When thinking about winter storm preparedness, start with your home. Blizzards and ice storms can not only cause house fires and power outages, but can immobilize cities, delaying emergency response and repair. Have the following on hand even if you don’t live in an area prone to winter storms:

• Extra blankets
• A battery-powered flashlight and spare batteries
• A portable radio
• Canned or boxed non-perishable food
• A manual can opener
• At least three gallons of water for every person in the house and enough food and water for any family pets
• A warm coat, gloves, hat and water-resistant boots for every member of the household
• Make sure you consider and can accommodate any special needs of babies, elderly and disabled family members, as well as family pets
• If you have a wood stove or a space heater in the home, be aware of potential fire and carbon monoxide hazards: always keep a space heater at least three feet from anything that can burn like bedding, clothing and furniture, and don’t drape clothing over a space heater to dry. Also make sure the ventilation is compliant with local codes.

Make sure your homeowners insurance is up-to-date before you have a problem, because you don’t want to be dealing with an emergency when you find out that don’t have adequate coverage. Contact your agent and set up a time to review your policy.

Keep warm and dry in cold temperatures
Think twice before you head outdoors in cold weather conditions. Dressing appropriately and keeping dry can help prevent hypothermia or frostbite. Consider the following:

• Wear layers. As wind speed increases, heat is carried away from the body more rapidly. Wearing multiple layers of loose-fitting, light-weight clothes with a top layer of tightly woven and water repellent materials will insulate better than one layer of heavy clothing. Wear a hat, mittens and cover your mouth with a clean scarf to protect your lungs from the cold air.
• Wear a pair of water-resistant or waterproof boots with good traction. Slip and fall accidents can easily happen, especially if you’re not wearing the right footwear. If you must wear dressier shoes, bring them along and change out of your boots when you get inside.
• Keep your clothes dry. If your clothes get wet, change out of them as soon possible.
• Drink plenty of liquids to help prevent dehydration. When it’s cold outside, people don’t drink as much because they don’t feel thirsty. Avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine though. Alcohol, while it may give you a feeling of warmth, actually increases the speed of heat loss in the body and caffeine can also hasten the effects of dehydration and lead to hypothermia.

Be prepared for outdoor activities
Winter activities like skiing and snowmobiling can be an adventure for the whole family. Following a few simple rules can help make sure you don ’t get lost or stuck in the cold:

• Don’t go out alone. It’s more fun and safer when a friend joins your winter weather fun.  
• Let other people know your itinerary. Tell friends and family where you’re headed and when they should expect you to return.
• Bring along the appropriate supplies. Make sure you’re wearing the proper gear and bring extra tools and parts, like your owner’s manual, extra belts and spark plugs, a tow rope, a small tool kit, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, extra parts, a blanket, waterproof matches and a compass if you are snowmobiling.

Take precautions with your car
Driving in bad weather is a challenge as roads can become slick after an afternoon of snow flurries and freezing temperatures. One accident often has a domino affect and leads to more crashes. Before the weather gets cold, get your vehicle ready for winter:

• Get current with your oil changes. Oil can thicken when it gets colder, and oil that’s too thick won’t keep your engine properly lubricated. Check your owner’s manual to see if it suggests a different type of oil for colder temperatures.
• Be able clear your windows. Check the quality of your wiper blades, fill-up on washer fluid and keep an ice/snow scraper in your vehicle.
• Check your battery. The middle of a parking lot in the dead of winter is the last place you want to discover that your battery can’t hold a charge.   
• Check your tire pressure and tread depth. Properly inflated tires with good tread will help provide the best possible traction, something that is easily jeopardized in wintery conditions. If you live in a particularly cold and snowy region, you may also want to investigate using snow tires during the winter months.
• Make sure your four-wheel drive functions properly. If your vehicle has 4WD, you probably haven’t used it in awhile. Check to make sure the system engages and disengages properly. 
• Create an emergency kit. Keeping emergency supplies in your car is a good idea year-round, but it’s especially important to have the following in your car during the winter:  a cell phone, a battery-powered flashlight and extra batteries, jumper cables, sand or non-clumping cat litter for traction, a small shovel and warning devices like flares or reflectors. If you’re heading on a longer trip, include food, water, blankets and prescription medication.

It’s safest to avoid driving in bad weather altogether, but when it’s unavoidable, make sure people know your cell phone number, your route and your anticipated time of arrival in case you don’t make it to your destination.

Getting prepared for winter is also a great time to make sure your car insurance is up-to-date. Accidents typically increase in the winter, so you should contact your agent and make sure your coverages fit your situation. Snow and ice can be dangerous if you’re not prepared, but if you play it safe and smart, you and your family can stay dry and warm during the winter season.