Winter Storm Checklist
How to prepare your home and vehicle for a winter storm, stay warm safely if the power fails, and spot frostbite and hypothermia.
Checklist
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Winter storms usually bring two problems at once: cold and power loss. Get ready before the forecast turns.
Staying warm safely
- Put everyone in one room and close doors to others.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet (1 m) from fireplaces, wood stoves and heaters.
- Plug space heaters straight into the wall, and check the cord is not frayed.
- Never heat your home with a gas range or oven.
Carbon monoxide warning. Generators, camp stoves, barbecues, charcoal, and kerosene or propane burners give off carbon monoxide, which you cannot see or smell and which can kill within minutes. Never use them indoors, or in a garage, basement, shed, tent or covered porch, even with doors and windows open. Outdoors, keep them at least 20 feet (6 m) from doors, windows and vents.
Check outdoor exhaust vents often and clear away snow and ice. A blocked vent can cause carbon monoxide to build up.
Know the signs
Frostbite: redness or pain, then white or grayish-yellow skin that feels firm or waxy, and numbness. Do not rub it. Do not warm it with a stove, heating pad or fireplace.
Hypothermia: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness. In babies, bright red cold skin and very low energy. Below 95°F (35°C) is an emergency. It can also happen above 40°F (4°C) if someone is wet and chilled.
Get medical help. Move the person somewhere warm, remove wet clothing, and warm them under dry blankets.
If you cannot heat your home in extreme cold, go to a community location with power.
Weather alerts
- US: National Weather Service and the FEMA app.
- Canada: WeatherCAN app, weather.gc.ca, and local radio.
Where to buy
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Battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm
Kidde: Kidde KN-COB-B-LP Nighthawk Carbon Monoxide Alarm, Battery Operated
Kidde lists it as UL Listed with an electrochemical sensor, and it runs on 3 AA batteries so it keeps working in a power outage.
Check price at Amazon.comNo Canadian link yetBattery-operated carbon monoxide alarm
Kidde: Kidde C3010 Worry-Free Carbon Monoxide Alarm, 10-Year Sealed Battery
Kidde lists its Canadian C3010-CA as CSA Listed with an electrochemical sensor and a sealed lithium battery, so it keeps working in an outage; check the listing shows the CSA mark before buying.
No US link yetCheck price at Amazon.caFlashlight, battery or hand-crank
Black Diamond: Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp
A AAA-powered dimmable headlamp that keeps both hands free and uses common batteries.
Spare batteries for your flashlights and radio
Energizer: Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA Batteries, 4 Pack
Energizer states AA Ultimate Lithium cells last up to 25 years in storage and work from -40°F to 140°F (-40°C to 60°C), which suits stored kits.
Battery or hand-crank radio, with NOAA Weather Radio
Midland: Midland ER310 Emergency Crank Weather AM/FM Radio
Runs from multiple power sources including a hand crank, and receives NOAA weather channels with alert.
Battery or hand-crank radio, with NOAA Weather Radio
Kaito: Kaito KA500 5-Way Powered Emergency AM/FM/SW Weather Alert Radio
Has solar, hand-crank and other power options plus a flashlight and reading lamp.
Phone power bank
Anker: Anker Power Bank, 20,000mAh, Built-In USB-C Cable
A 20,000 mAh pack holds several phone charges and has its own cable, so one less thing to find in the dark.
Sources
- Ready.gov: #WinterReady https://www.ready.gov/winter-ready
- Canada.ca: Winter storms, how to prepare https://www.canada.ca/en/services/policing/emergencies/preparedness/get-prepared/hazards-emergencies/winter-storms/how-prepare.html
- Environment Canada: Be prepared for winter weather https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/seasonal-weather-hazards/be-prepared-for-winter.html
- CDC: Avoid, Spot and Treat Frostbite and Hypothermia (PDF) https://www.cdc.gov/winter-weather/media/pdf/avoid-spot-treat-frostbite.pdf
- CDC: What to Do to Protect Yourself During a Power Outage https://www.cdc.gov/natural-disasters/response/what-to-do-protect-yourself-during-a-power-outage.html
- City of Winnipeg: Prevent frozen pipes https://winnipeg.ca/services-programs/water-wastewater/water/frozen-water-pipes/prevention
Updated November 9, 2026