There may be times in North Idaho where a winter storm causes us to stay in, or near our homes for several days. This is the time of year that people should be preparing for this possibility. Following are suggestions that could make this time safer and less stressful.

• Keep a battery-powered radio and flashlight handy (with extra batteries).
• Plug in a corded phone in case you lose power (cordless phones don’t work without power).
• Stock up on a few days supply of non-perishable food and water (food not requiring cooking). Don’t forget to have food available for your pets.
• Sleeping bags, winter clothing, and extra blankets should be kept close at hand in case of power loss.
• Have a well-stocked first-aid kit available
• In case your furnace fails, have an alternative heat source. *Always have at least 3 feet of clearance between your alternate heat source and anything that can burn.
• Make sure you turn off alternate heating sources before leaving the area or going to bed (including extinguishing the embers in a fireplace).
• In times of extremely cold temperatures it is a good idea to keep a small trickle of water flowing in one or more sinks to prevent pipes from freezing.
• When using a fireplace, make sure you use a sturdy screen and burn only clean wood to reduce the amount of creosol buildup.
• Make sure your *furnace, fireplace, and/or wood stove is serviced each year for proper operation.
• Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on all levels of your home, especially in or near all sleeping areas. Check to make sure they are UL approved.
• If using trees or wreaths during the holiday season, make sure they are kept well watered and away from any heat source, which will dry them out quickly or cause them to ignite.
• Be especially careful with the use of candles for decorations. Candles should always be blown out when leaving the area.
• Furnaces not operating correctly may give off carbon monoxide gas. This can be very harmful. Low levels of carbon monoxide can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness. Higher levels can result in unconsciousness and even death.
• Carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased from local hardware stores are easy to install. *Follow installation instructions closely!