Two things are guaranteed during any Northeast Ohio winter: passionate football fans and bad weather. While these are a given, being prepared for the bad weather is up in the air. We all know that weather can change quickly so now is a great time to prepare.

To help make getting started easier, we put together three easy starting points:

Build a Kit

Gathering supplies and important household items will help prepare you in the event of an emergency. Keep an emergency kit at home and one in your vehicle. Food and water are vital during a winter storm; however, make sure the food is safe to consume if power is lost. Below is a list of items you might consider as you start to build your kit. Additional items to consider can be found on Ready.gov.

  • Flashlight
  • Batteries
  • First aid supplies
  • Chargers for cell phones
  • Canned fruits and vegetables
  • Extra cash
  • Personal hygiene items
  • Can opener
  • Blankets, clothes
  • Personal medications

Don’t forget your pets, build a pet kit containing food, water, photos in case of separation, and a leash.

Make a Plan

Knowing what to do ahead of a disaster can help ease the stress you will face during the emergency. If you find yourself separated from loved ones, have a plan in place on who and how to contact each other during a disaster.

  • Include evacuation routes, meet up locations, and how to obtain medication.
  • Replace your smoke alarm batteries twice a year. Every time you change your clocks, it is recommended you also change your smoke alarm batteries unless 10-year lithium batteries are used.
  • Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Personal generators can be a major source of carbon monoxide in the home. If you have a generator, follow its guidelines. Generators should only be used outside and at least 20 feet away from any house. Keep it out of wet conditions by protecting it with a canopy.

Be Informed

Staying up-to-date on the most current information can help you make the best decisions for yourself and your loved ones. If a local emergency such as flooding, chemical spills, fires, or a winter storm occur, follow local guidance and keep your evacuation plan in mind. If you need to shelter in place, make sure you find a safe spot depending on the emergency and stay put until alerted otherwise.

Medina County residents can sign up to be notified of emergency situations through our mass notification system (Wireless Emergency Notification System – WENS). WENS delivers quick messages and instructions for action to the public via phone call, text message, and email based on the contact information you provide.

Additional Resources

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit our Emergency Preparedness webpage. You can also find resources from CDC or ready.gov.