Winter has officially arrived — which means frigid temperatures and snowstorms are in store for a majority of the country. While there are some positives that go along with the harsh weather, like snow days and cozying up to the fireplace, it’s important to be prepared and protect yourself, your family and your home in case of a winter weather-related emergency.

Here are some practical tips and recommendations you should know when a winter storm strikes.

1. Be prepared for a power outage and know how to use generators safely.

In the event of a winter storm, power outages are a likely possibility, especially when the snow is heavy or there’s ice in the forecast. Having a generator on hand will provide backup power to your home in case there’s a power outage. However, some safety rules must be abided by when using a generator. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following:

• Never use a generator inside your home, in basements, in garages or near windows.
• Generators should be located at least 20 feet from any window, door or vent and in a space where rain and snow will not be able to reach them.
• Do not use the generator or appliances if they are wet.
• Do not store gasoline indoors where the fumes from the generator could ignite.
• Plug in appliances to the generator using individual heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords.

While it’s clear that you should never use a generator indoors, it’s still important to have at least one working carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home to ensure that your generator isn’t spreading any dangerous fumes. This carbon monoxide detector by Kidde is also a smoke detector and provides protection even during power outages when many fire and carbon monoxide incidents can occur.

2. Heat your home safely.

If you’re using a space heater to help heat your home when it’s cold, you’ll have to be extra cautious. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, it’s important to read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels carefully before using any space heater. You should also inspect heaters regularly and discontinue use if you find loose connections or cracked or broken plugs. And, of course, keep in mind that a space heater should never be left unattended.

When choosing a space heater, opt for one that has A-plus safety ratings and features an automatic shut-off. This space heater from TaoTronics has built-in overheating and tip-over protection sensors, as well as a 12-hour timer, that work together to provide a much safer heating source. It’s also compact and ideal for heating an entire room such as a bedroom or office.

Courtesy of Patch.com