A major snowstorm is currently in the forecast for many parts of the country — including several areas that don't frequently experience severe winter weather. So what should you do if you're expecting snow for the first time in years? The best way to prep for snow and winter storms is to have an emergency plan and the right supplies and gear to get you through the worst of it.
To help you get ready for the winter weather, we sought advice from experts at theAmerican Red CrossandFrontdoor, a service that connects homeowners to skilled tradespeople. Read on for simple steps and precautions you can take to ensure your house stays warm, safe and protected — plus our picks for gear everyone should own, including power stations, snow blowers, and insulation kits.
Before we dive in, now's a good time to familiarize yourself with common winter storm terms. If you hear either of these on the news, the Red Cross advises you to take immediate precautions:
Winter storm warning: Life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours.
Blizzard warning: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 miles per hour or greater, plus considerable falling or blowing snow reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile, expected for three hours or longer.
Build an emergency preparedness kit
The first step in preparing for a winter storm — or any severe weather — is putting together an emergency supply kit.
"At a minimum,you should have an at-home kit for up to two weeks and a go-kit that supports family needs for up to three days," says Stephanie Fox, national spokesperson for the American Red Cross. These should include first-aid supplies, copies of important documents, a flashlight, batteries, chargers for your electronic devices, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, cash, snacks, and water (at least one gallon per person per day for drinking; more for other uses). Fox advises adding items that reflect your family's needs, such as prescription medications or pet food.
For the winter, she suggests warm blankets and clothing, high-calorie snacks, a bright red cloth (in the event you are stranded in a vehicle), and hand warmers.
3-Day Basic Emergency Preparedness Backpack
If you feel overwhelmed at the idea of gathering supplies individually, start with a highly rated kit from the Red Cross, which includes all the basics you need for three days, including food bars, water pouches, first-aid supplies, and a multi-tool. Everything is packed in a lightweight backpack so you can take it with you if you need to evacuate. If you start with this basic kit, you can easily build it into enough supplies for your whole family.
First Aid Only All-Purpose Emergency First Aid Kit
While compact enough to fit in a backpack, this first-aid kit holds almost 300 pieces of essential first aid equipment, including antibiotic ointments, a gauze roll and pads, and nearly every size adhesive bandage. Its versatility has earned it a near-perfect 4.8 stars from more than 76,000 reviewers, and it's a steal at less than $20.
GearLight LED Flashlights, 2-Pack
These tiny torches pack mega-wattage, plus they're super durable, made from water-resistant, military-grade aluminum that can withstand a 10-foot drop. You'll need threeAAA batteries(or one3.7 V rechargeable lithium battery) for each flashlight, which are not included. (But you should have batteries in your emergency kit anyway, so you may as well buy extras while shopping.)
More than 63,000 Amazon shoppers gave these gadgets a five-star rating, includingthis grateful fan: "I was in Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. I had traveled there and was stuck with no power for five days. This Gearlight flashlight was the only source of light I had. It was a workhorse. I had put Duracell AAA batteries in it when I received it. Those batteries lasted the entire five days. I was stunned and thankful. I can't praise this little flashlight enough."
Anker Nano 3-in-1 Portable iPhone Charger
This compact device is one of the best power banks and portable chargers, and at $45, it's also one of the most affordable. A foldable two-prong plug lets you charge it from a standard outlet, so it's easy to keep juiced, and it offers high-speed 30W output that can charge most iPhone models up to two times.
Midland ER310 Emergency Crank Radio
More than 5,700 shoppers gave this AM/FM gadget a five-star rating thanks to its bevy of features, including an SOS flashlight, an ultrasonic dog whistle and a weather radio that automatically scans for the strongest signal to help you stay informed. Power it via the hand crank or built-in solar panel; a full charge should give you 32 hours of radio operation.
Brawntide Large Outdoor Waterproof Blanket
Stadium blankets make a great option for emergency preparedness kits because they're warm, waterproof and fold down to a packable size. This pick is backed with extra-thick fleece, and at 82-by-55 inches, it's large enough to wrap around two people.
HotHands Hand Warmers, 10-Pack
As someone with poor circulation, especially in my hands, I can confirm that these babies are worth their weight in gold. They're single-use, which makes more sense for emergencies than something you need to charge, and they stay hot for up to 10 hours.
Seal off drafts
This is one of the most important ways to prep your house for extreme winter weather — and one of the first tasks to do once temperatures drop, says Frontdoor handyperson expert, William James: "Check to see if you have any areas in your home where drafts are coming through, such as doors or windows that have broken or old weather stripping."
Replacing weather stripping is fairly easy: Many have adhesive backs, so you can simply peel off the old stuff and replace it. If you're not sure what kind you need, bring some old strips to the hardware store and ask for help finding a match.
Frontdoor plumbing pro David Johnson also advises checking that all access and garage doors are closed. You'll also want to peek at your basement windows to make sure there are no visible gaps in the seals. "These subgrade windows can get snow and water buildup in them and leak, or they may have a vent open that you forgot about in warmer weather," says James.
Frost King Clear Polyethylene Window Insulation Kit
James recommends this shrink-wrap kit for quickly and inexpensively sealing windows. Believe it or not, applying a product like this to your windows when it's cold can ensure 35% less heat loss! The crystal-clear film won't impede your view, so you can keep tabs on what's happening outside your door.
Holikme Weighted Door Draft Stopper, 36 inch
Another quick fix for drafts? James suggests a foam-and-cloth barrier that sits at the bottom of your door (or window) to help keep cold air outside, where it belongs. This one is 4.5 inches thick, and it comes with double-sided tape, in case you want to stick it directly to the offending door.
DAP Dynaflex 230 Premium Indoor/Outdoor Sealant
If you see visible gaps in window seals, use a scraper to remove the old stuff, then replace it with outdoor-rated window caulking. James likes DAP Dynaflex; this version comes as a tube, so you don't need a caulk gun to apply it.
Wrap exposed piping
Another danger when extra-cold weather sweeps in? Frozen pipes. "As wintry weather sets in, it's important to make sure that all exposed piping is wrapped with foam pipe insulation or pipe sleeves," says Johnson. Keep in mind that exposed piping isn't just on the exterior of your home. "It's also in your garage, basement, crawlspace and attic — any area that is unheated," he says.
Enclose outdoor faucets in insulation covers, and if your home has isolation valves for your hose bibs, turn them off and drain the bibs. Do the same for your actual hoses, then disconnect them.
Duck Brand Insulating Foam Pipe Covers, 4-Pack
It doesn't get simpler or more effective than these insulating foam sleeves. Slip them over your pipes (slits ensure it's easy) and secure them with the self-adhesive edges. Duck Brand is famous for its duct tape, so you can trust it knows home maintenance!
ArtiGifts Pro Outdoor Faucet Cover Socks
More than 8,600 Amazon customers swear by thesefaucet coversfor protecting their pipes during the winter. Made of insulated, waterproof fabric, they keep excess moisture away from your spigots — because what does moisture do when it's freezing outside? It freezes! Ice puts pressure on your pipes, which can lead to ruptures. Not good.
To install them, you just slip the opening over your faucet, twist the drawstring around the cover a few times and pull to tighten.
Clear drains and gutter downspouts
You can prevent a slippery mess around your home's exterior by removing any debris from drains and gutter downspouts —justthe downspouts, as winter is not the time to get on a ladder and clean out your actual gutters! Clearing potential clogs will "help prevent the buildup of water that can turn into ice once it turns cold," says James. Just make sure to wear gloves and have a screwdriver handy in case you need to remove a drain lid.
DeWalt Thermal Work Gloves
DeWalt makes reliable, reasonably priced tools, and its accessories are no exception. This pair of thermal gloves features what the brand calls "glove-in-glove technology" — basically, it's two gloves in one, with a knit thermal liner and an outer nylon shell.
Vermont Glove
Tuttle Glove
If you're looking for a pair of heavy-duty winter gloves that will last a lifetime, Vermont Glove is our top-recommended brand. All their gloves are crafted right here in America using premium materials — this pair has a supple goat skin exterior that's lined with a wool blend and has a cozy merino wool cuff.
Warm up with a space heater
When used safely and according to the manufacturer's directions, space heaters can help provide supplemental warmth if you lose central heating. Fox says you should place space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything combustible — bedding, drapery, furniture — and never, ever leave them unattended, even for a short time. "When purchasing a space heater, consider one with a timer and a setting that will automatically turn the device off in the event it tips over," she adds.
Fox advises against using candles for warmth because of the fire risk. And leave your oven off — you may think it's an easy way to cozy up your kitchen, but it's "extremely dangerous and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning," she says.
Dreo Space Heater
This compact appliance can really heat things up (I own it, and it takes only minutes to warm a small room). It remains cool to the touch, so no worries about accidentally brushing up against it. Should you happen to knock it over, it'll automatically shut off.
Mr. Heater Big Buddy Pro Series Propane Indoor/Outdoor Space Heater
If you're worried about losing power, this portable space heater doesn't rely on electricity. Instead, you hook it up to two 1-pound propane tanks, and it will deliver up to 11 hours of supplemental heat. It's rated for indoor use and able to warm spaces up to 450 square feet, but you'll want to follow the instructions carefully to ensure safe operation.
Have snow-removal gear on standby
Digging your way out of a mountain of compacted snow and ice sounds fun to pretty much no one, and the longer you wait, the worse it can get. Keep your snow removal gear inside your house or garage, right by the door, and once it's safe to do so (winds have died down, there's no hail or sleet), start clearing a pathway.
Don't forget to throw down some ice melt to tackle slippery spots. "Even one bag of salt will help you with that surprise freeze overnight," says James.
Snow Joe Shovelution Snow Shovel
Anyone who has spent hours clearing their driveway knows that it can be backbreaking work. In fact, the average shovelful of snow weighs 16 pounds! We spoke with medical experts about thebest snow shovels, and most recommended this style of tool — it has a spring-assisted second handle that helps you gain leverage, minimizing back, shoulder, and neck pain.
Safe Paw Pet Safe Ice Melt
Rock salt works, sure, but it'snot great for the environment— or pets. Made with a blend of modified carbonyl diamide crystals and glycols, which are non-toxic, this ice melt effectively dissolves frozen patches and is so gentle, it's even safe if your pup happens to lick his paws after going outside.
Earthwise 40-Volt Cordless Electric Snow Shovel
If you're willing to spend a little more, you may want to consider an electric snow shovel, which require less manual effort, making them safer for older adults ot use. This model from Earthwise is able to handle snow up to 8 inches deep, and it's mounted on wheels for easy pushing. It has a cordless design and adjustable front handle for better grip, and it can easily throw snow up to 30 feet.
Husqvarna Two Stage Snow Blower
When it's time to break out the big machinery, James recommends this snow blower from Husqvarna. To be clear, you only need a snow blower like this for large areas, but if you have lots of property (or neighbors who need assistance), equipment like this can seriously lighten your proverbial load.
Invest in alternative power sources
Having a generator or portable power station can turn a potential catastrophe into more of a nuisance, especially if your area experiences frequent brownouts during snow and high winds. "One of the most overlooked winter prep tasks is not having small engines, like a generator, ready to use when weather hits," says James.
If youdoend up losing power, follow these tips from Frontdoor electrical expert Johnny Sharif: "First, make sure you have flashlights ready and easy to locate so you can check your electrical panel to see if the issue is isolated to your home or if it's a widespread outage. If it is your home, check if any circuit breakers are tripped — sometimes they may not look like they are, so you will need to push them all the way to the 'off' position and then reset them. If all are working, then it may be a widespread outage in your area. If this is the case, it would be best to unplug any appliances or electronics that may be damaged from a power surge when the power is restored. Newer homes will have built-in whole-home surge protection, but this is still good practice."
Anker Solix C300 Portable Power Station
Power stations can be quite pricey, but this is arguably the best overall power station under $250, thanks to its capacity (288Wh) and numerous outputs, including four USB ports and three AC outlets. Just keep in mind that mini power stations like this are best suited for phones, tablets, laptops, and small appliances. If you want more juice, you're going to need a bigger model.
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 2000 Plus
Want to keep your fridge and other big-ticket appliances running? Time to invest in a more powerful backup, like the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus. It's a convenient alternative to a generator and, though pricey, it's worth the money, as it can support up to five external batteries for a whopping 12,000Wh. You can even link a second Explorer, with five extra batteries of its own, and bring your available power output to 6,000W and capacity to over 24,000Wh — enough to power major appliances, if needed.
Generac 7224 10kW Home Standby Generator
For a more traditional gas-powered generator, James likes Generac, which is supposed to run quieter than many other brands. Another plus is you can easily buy it on Amazon (though you should get a licensed installer). This price is for the 10kW option, but you can order outputs up to 26kW.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
