I’m lucky enough to have a gas heater and oven so unless something really drastic happens…my house will stay warm and I’ll be able to cook.

Know where all your valves are. Especially water. Have some point of reference so you can find the shutoff valve even under snow. No fun wasting your time digging around the yard in below freezing weather, right? Also, letting a faucet drip lightly will reduce the pressure in the pipes mitigating the chance of your pipes bursting

Side note: Insulating your pipes is a great preventative maintenance tool.

Emergency Lighting: I personally recommend the LED Emergency Light for every room. This will give you background lighting to get to your preps, reduce the chance of injury from stumbling in the dark and reduce anxiety in children.

Flashlights/Lanterns/Batteries: I have a Mag-lite, batteries, backup batteries and Paraffin Lamps. Obviously, this would be a bad idea for anyone with children or animals so  make sure to select the one that best works for your household.

Food: You should have a minimum three-day supply for every member of your family…and the methods to prepare them. Have a bunch of cans but only an electric can opener? No bueno.

My options are a bit more broad since I have a gas stove. If you’re a camper you probably have a camp stove…just remember to cook outside.

You don’t have to stock up on “survival foods” if you don’t have a way to cook. Frozen bread will thaw for sandwiches: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, lunch meat, tuna fish etc… Soups(while not tasting as great cold will last you) Cereals etc. Make sure to have some comfort food lying around…if anything a few snacks you like will simply make you feel better!

Water: Keeping enough clean water on hand can be the most challenging item on this list. The WaterBOB is great for emergency water storage. Fills water in a bladder w/ a siphon pump to use so it remains more sanitary than stagnant water. Remember, you need water for more than drinking. Water will also be used for cooking and sanitation so you’ll need more than a case or two of bottled water.

First-Aid: Keeping a basic first-aid kit stocked is a great idea to have year round. If anyone in your family is on medications a one month supply backup is recommended. Also, make sure to rotate out the medicine so it doesn’t expire. Heavy blankets are included in this list…not just for warmth but if any of your family should get stuck outside.

Communications: During the ice storm last year most forms of communications were down including cell phones and land lines. A hand-cranked or battery powered emergency weather radio can keep you informed about upcoming weather.

A few random things popped in my head: Keep cash on you or a hidden supply in your house. During the ice storm last year I only had my card…and all phone lines were down so no one could accept debit cards.

A way to get your car out is useful…Again, the roads were clear but in my apartment complex the parking lot was solid ice and jars were jammed tightly. A trenching shovel and kitty litter would have allowed me to get out.

I’m just looking forward to getting my first ham radio… that way I can still talk when everything else is down.