Snow and ice storms can create dangerous conditions and significant risks for homeowners. A blizzard can bring winds over 35 mph, heavy snow accumulation, and reduce visibility to less than a quarter mile. After the storm, high winds can lead to whiteouts and dangerous snowdrifts.
These conditions make travel hazardous, often leaving individuals stranded at home or in vehicles without access to power or critical resources. Before winter weather catches you off guard, use this winter storm preparedness checklist to keep your household safe and secure.
Featured Resource:
Winter Storm Prep: Emergency Checklist
Snow and ice storms can quickly escalate into dangerous situations for homeowners. Having a clear plan and supplies on hand is essential. Stay safe this season by following these proven winter storm preparation tips.
How to Prepare for a Blizzard
Blizzards can threaten primary and secondary properties with snow and ice, freezing rain, and flooding. Preparing now will help protect your home and family from the most severe impacts of winter storms.
Have an Emergency Kit Ready
Every home should have a well-stocked winter storm emergency kit. Essential items include:
- First aid items (bandages, antibacterial cream, gauze, etc.)
- Flashlights with extra batteries
- Manual can opener
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable snacks
- Cell phone and chargers
- Extra blankets and coats
- Salt and winter tools
Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Car, Too
A winter car emergency kit is just as important as the one in your home. Severe storms can leave you stranded on the road, so keep these essentials in your vehicle:
- Water
- Non-perishable snacks
- Cell phone charger
- Blankets
- Flashlight
- Jumper cables
- First aid kit
- Windshield scraper and shovel
Also, make sure your car is winter-ready with routine maintenance. Fill the gas tank, check the battery, and ensure tires are in good condition before a storm hits.
Traveling during winter weather? Read our holiday travel safety guide here.
Stock Up on Non-Perishable Food and Water
Plan ahead with enough supplies for each family member, and don’t forget pets. The Weather Channel recommends at least three days’ worth. For water, that means about 3 gallons per person or pet.
Include additional necessities like hygiene products, cleaning supplies, prescriptions, diapers, wipes, and pet care items. Preparing early ensures you won’t be caught without essentials during a winter storm emergency.
Seal Up Windows and Doors
Proper home winterization helps retain heat and block out drafts. Improve insulation around doors, windows, and in your attic before winter weather arrives.
Before a storm, roll blankets or towels along window sills and door frames to prevent cold air from seeping inside. Simple steps like this can make a big difference in keeping your home warm and reducing energy use during a storm.
Bring Your Pets Inside
Always bring pets indoors during a winter storm to keep them warm and safe. If pets must remain outside, ensure they have proper shelter, water that isn't frozen, and adequate food. Snow fencing can also help keep paths clear to barns or shelters.
Assess Your Home and Yard
Inspect your roof, gutters, and chimney before storms hit. If you plan to use your chimneys for heat, have them cleaned and inspected. Stockpile dry firewood early in the season.
Check your yard for potential hazards, such as large branches or weak trees that could fall on your home or power lines during an ice storm. Arrange trimming or removal before winter weather arrives.
Winter Power Outage Tips
A severe winter storm power outage can leave you without electricity for days. Preparing ahead of time can be lifesaving.
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Even in warmer states, unexpected cold snaps (like the Texas storm of 2021) can cause widespread outages.
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Stock emergency supplies and backup heat sources.
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Know how to use generators and alternative heating safely.
Stock Up on Batteries and Flashlights
Flashlights, lanterns, and extra batteries are essential during extended outages. Battery-powered lanterns are especially useful and safer than candles. Make sure you keep them with your emergency kit.
Lower Your Refrigerator Temp
If you expect a prolonged outage, lower your refrigerator and freezer temperatures ahead of time. This will keep food cooler for longer and reduce waste.
Keep a Power Bank on Hand
During a winter storm power outage, a charged power bank ensures you can keep your phone running for emergencies. Have one or two fully charged in advance. If possible, also carry a car charger to power your phone from your vehicle if electricity is unavailable.
Fill Your Bathtub
If your home relies on an electric water pump, you may lose access to running water during a storm. Filling your bathtub in advance provides a supply for hygiene, cleaning, and toilet flushing. Always sanitize the tub first to ensure safe use.
Check on Your Neighbors
Snow and ice storms can be particularly dangerous for elderly neighbors or families with young children. Take a moment to check in on them before, during, and after a storm to ensure they have heat, food, and essential supplies.
Cold Weather Precautions
Winter storms bring more than snow and ice—extreme cold temperatures can also cause frostbite, hypothermia, and accidents. Prolonged exposure can damage your home, increasing the risk of frozen pipes and water damage.
Follow these cold-weather safety steps to protect your household and prevent property damage when temperatures plunge:
Prevent Frozen Pipes from Bursting
When temperatures drop below freezing, unprotected pipes can freeze and burst—causing severe water damage.
Here’s how to prevent this from happening:
- Know where your water shut-off valve is located.
- Wrap exposed pipes in insulation or heat tape.
- Keep the thermostat set above 55°F, even if you’re away.
- Turn off the water to the exterior hose bibs.
- Open cabinets under sinks to let warm air circulate around plumbing.
- Let faucets drip slightly to keep water moving.
- Consider a low-temperature alarm. It will notify you and your alarm monitoring company when temperatures in your home drop to dangerous levels.
If you’ll be traveling, consider installing a smart water shut-off system that detects leaks and stops the flow before damage spreads.
Prevent Ice Dams
Ice dams form when heat from your attic melts snow on the roof, which then refreezes at the edges. The trapped water can seep beneath shingles and cause hidden roof leaks and attic water damage.
To prevent ice dams:
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Add insulation and ventilation in your attic to maintain consistent roof temperatures.
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Keep gutters and downspouts clear of leaves and debris.
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Remove snow buildup from your roof with a roof rake before it turns into solid ice.
These steps not only help protect against ice dam damage but also extend the life of your roofing system.
Heat Your Home Safely
When it’s extremely cold outside, or the power goes out, you may need to use a space heater, generator, or fireplace. These need to be properly used, or they can pose a severe risk.
Best practices for safe home heating during a winter storm include:
- Conserve heat by closing curtains and doors to rooms you don’t need.
- Never run generators indoors or near windows, vents, or doors. Keep them at least 20 feet away from your home to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
- Do not leave any candles unattended. Use battery-powered lanterns instead.
- Have your chimney cleaned and inspected before winter use. Burn only dry, seasoned firewood, and make sure gas fireplaces are adequately ventilated.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector. According to Weather.gov, carbon monoxide poisoning claims 1,000 lives every year in the US, especially during the winter months.
- Never plug a space heater into an extension cord. They are high-voltage and could spark and start a fire. Instead, plug them directly into the wall outlet.
- Keep your family warm with layered clothing and extra blankets. For infants, use properly fitted sleep sacks and footed pajamas rather than loose blankets.
Reduce Your Risks and Stay Safe
At Vault, we believe risk mitigation goes hand-in-hand with insurance coverage. Protecting your assets means planning for all possible risks, not just reacting after damage occurs.
Our tailored risk management services help safeguard your home and lifestyle. And when claims do happen, Vault’s Claims team is available 24/7 to provide quick, reliable support. You can reach them at 1-844-388-LOSS (5677) or ClaimsFNOL@vault.insurance .
Request a quote today and experience the Vault difference in winter storm protection.
Related Products: Homeowners Insurance
Featured Resource:
Winter Storm Prep: Emergency Checklist
Snow and ice storms can create dangerous situations quickly, causing major issues for homeowners. Stay safe with these action items:
While Vault believes the information provided in this article to be accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information provided. Vault is not responsible for, and does not adopt, endorse or approve any third-party webpages, or their content, that may be hyperlinked from this page. Nothing on this page alters any terms or conditions of an insurance policy and is not intended to be taken as legal, medical, or other professional advice.
