Do you know what to do if the power goes out during cold weather? Get prepared today by making a plan and building a kit.

After reading a post by Shane Booker on the Meridian-Kessler page of the Nextdoor website, we thought we’d pass along some good safety tips for severe winter weather.

Ready.gov writes,

One of the primary concerns is the winter weather’s ability to knock out heat, power and communications services to your home or office, sometimes for days at a time. Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region.

The National Weather Service refers to winter storms as the “Deceptive Killers” because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Instead, people die in traffic accidents on icy roads and of hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold. It is important to be prepared for winter weather before it strikes.

Learn more about what to do before, during and after a severe winter weather event.

The Red Cross provides a detailed list for preparing a winter storm survival supply kit.

And most importantly, be a good neighbor. Before a big storm, please check on elderly or sick neighbors to ensure that they are prepared— and continue to check on them especially if power is lost in your area. Stay safe!