Preparing for a Winter Storm--Part Two

Continuing our series--Preparing for a Winter Storm--Part 2
Here are more tips for keeping safe in the cold winter months.

8. Always keep extra food and beverages in your car. This includes water, energy bars, etc. Select items that are not perishable and keep well in cold weather.
9. Keep an extra hat, scarf and pair of mittens or gloves in your car. In case you get stranded while driving, you will have something to keep warm if you left the house without these items.
10. Make sure you have plenty of gas in car. Snow usually means longer travel times. Sitting in traffic uses up fuel, so fill up before the storm.
11. Keep salt or sand and a small shovel in your trunk. If you get stuck in a drift or pile of snow, this will help get you out of your predicament.
12. Are your tires in good shape? Bald tires provide poor traction. If you haven’t checked your tires lately, take your car in for servicing.
13. Are your brakes working? Check fluid levels. Also, have a mechanic check your brake pads for wear. If they are starting to get bad, replace them now, before all the ‘stop and go’ you’ll be doing in a storm.
14. Have enough food in your home for at least three full days of meals, ideally a week in case you can’t get out, or the trucks can’t get to the stores to deliver.