With the first winter weather episode underway, the Office of Emergency Preparedness advises everyone in the Tech community to prepare for winter weather at home and in their vehicles.

A few things to consider:

In the Car

Maintain Your Car

• Check and monitor all systems
• Make sure fluids are topped off, including antifreeze, brake fluid, and wiper fluid
• Oil – appropriate heavier gauge
• Battery, brakes, exhaust system, heater/defroster, lights, thermostat, wipers
• Tires – adequate treads
• Keep basic tools in car

Prepare a Car-Ready Kit

• Food and water
• Medicine
• Blankets and warm clothes, including hat and gloves
• Phone charger
• Sturdy shoes
• Small shovel
• Ice scraper
• Cat litter, sand, or ice melt
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered radio
• Extra batteries
• Tow rope or chain
• Emergency flare/distress flag
• First-aid kit with pocketknife

At Home

Maintain Your Home

• Insulate pipes and let water drip
• Bring plants and pets indoors
• Know how to turn off water valves
• Know how to use electrical panel
• Have furnace cleaned and maintained (change filters regularly)
• Remove dead tree branches
• Clean gutters
• Have chimneys inspected
• Install storm windows or place plastic on inside of windows
• Repair roof leaks
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Prepare a Home-Ready Kit

• Rock salt or ice melt
• Sand or non-clumping cat litter
• Wood for fireplace or woodburning stove
• Snow shovel
• Alternate cooking source (such as a butane stove)
• NOAA weather radio (as well as a weather radio cellphone app)
• Non-perishable foods
• Medicine
• Baby supplies, if applicable
• Drinking water
• Flashlights
• Sleeping bag
• Extra batteries
• Fire extinguisher