⚠️ Neighbors: Ice storms can knock out power, make roads impassable, and slow emergency response. A few minutes of preparation today can make a big difference for you and your neighbors.
Please repost this message (click the share button ➦, then repost =🔁 ) so as many people as possible see it.
👀 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝:
→ For the last weather, traffic, and safety alerts, go to https://nextdoor.com/alerts/
→ To find updates from local public agencies, go to https://nextdoor.com/agency/feed
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬:
🏠 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 & 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
→ Charge phones, medical devices, and backup batteries now.
→ Stock up on food, water, medications, and pet supplies for several days.
→ Move vehicles away from trees and power lines, if possible.
🧊 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐬
→ Set thermostats slightly higher, keep them the same day and night, and never below 55°F.
→ Keep faucets running at a slight drip.
→ Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air circulation.
→ Make sure you know how to shut off your home’s water supply.
🔥 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 & 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
→ Expect that outages may last longer, especially in wooded or rural areas.
→ Use flashlights instead of candles when possible to reduce fire risk.
→ Never use grills, camp stoves, or gas ovens/stovetops to heat your home.
🔥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
→ Make sure you have carbon monoxide alarms on every floor and test them by holding the test button.
→ Check that furnace and dryer exhaust vents are clear of snow and ice.
🔌 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫
→ Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet.
→ Keep them at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including people and pets.
→ Use a model with an automatic shut-off if it tips over or overheats.
🚫 Do not use an extension cord or power strip.
🚫 Do not plug anything else into the same outlet as your space heater.
For more heating and space heater safety information, visit:
https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/heating?utm_source=nextdoor
⚡ 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬
→ Use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas at least 20 feet from all doors, windows, and vents.
🚫 Never use a generator in an attached garage, even with the door open.
🚫 Do not fuel your generator while it is running; spilled gas on a hot engine can cause a fire.
→ Connect appliances to the generator with heavy-duty extension cords rated for outdoor use.
🚫 Do not stand or sit downwind of the generator exhaust; if you can smell exhaust, you are inhaling it, and it is toxic and deadly.
🚫 Do not back-feed the generator by plugging it into an outlet; this is extremely dangerous and can seriously injure or kill line workers.
🌳 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦
→ Stay indoors and off the roads unless it’s an emergency.
→ Keep a safe distance from trees and branches weighed down by ice.
→ Stay far away from downed power lines — always assume they are live.
→ If the power goes out, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to protect food.
🧣 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐠𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞
→ Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to arrive.
→ Dress as though you will be outside for an extended period, even for short errands.
→ Wear multiple layers of loose, warm clothing, plus a hat, gloves, and waterproof footwear.
🚙 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞
→ Avoid driving if at all possible — many roads and bridges may not be treated or plowed
→ Ask yourself: “Do I have what I need to stay warm if my car breaks down or I get stuck?”
→ Pack blankets, extra hats and gloves, water, snacks, and a charged phone or power bank in your vehicle.
→ Assume bridges, overpasses, hills, and shaded roads will ice first.
→ If you must travel, let family or neighbors know where you’re going and when you expect to arrive.
→ Keep your gas tank at least half full in case you get stuck or detoured.
👉 What else are you doing to get ready for the ice? Post your tips or ask for your neighbors' advice by clicking this link and following prompts: https://nextdoor.com/news_feed/?open_composer=true&hashtag=stormhelp
