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1. Check the weather forecast before you go anywhere, even just a quick run to the grocery store.

• Don’t travel during a storm unless you absolutely need to.
• Tell a friend or family member where you’re going, and when you’ll be back.
• If you get stranded, don’t leave your vehicle; light flares around it (if you have them) and turn on your hazard lights.
• Prepare your car for winter; if you’ve been putting off that visit to the mechanic, now’s the time!
• Try to keep your gas tank at least half full at all times.
• Learn how to avoid crashes: slow down, and leave an 8- to 10-second distance between your vehicle and the one in front.
• Stick a bag of non-clumping kitty litter in your trunk; it can help you get better tire traction if you get stuck.
• Find out about snow plowing; information on how the Town handles that is here.  We also offer courtesy snow berm removal (as time permits) to residents who are a) medically unable to remove the berm from their own driveways, and b) financially unable to hire a private company to do so.  More information on that is here.

2. Be prepared!

• Make sure that you have essentials like blankets, flashlights, a first aid kit, bottled water, and non-perishable food.  You should always have enough on hand to last everyone in the household for at least 72 hours (3 days).  For more tips on making your own "72-hour Kit," check out this site.
• Don't forget your pets!  Your cat or dog will need food and water, too.
• Keep your medications refilled; make sure you have at least a week's worth on hand at all times.  (Remember that bad weather can sometimes delay shipments to local pharmacies, too, so they may take longer than usual to process refills.)
• Flashlights are preferable to candles for an emergency kit: they usually last longer, and are much less likely to start an accidental fire.  Just make sure to check your batteries!
• Use your library card!  Before the storm hits, come in to Pinetop-Lakeside Library and stock up on free entertainment; we have books (no power needed!), movies (we bet we have at least a few you haven't seen before), audiobooks (great to listen to while you make all of those big holiday meals!), and board games (we're not responsible for any family feuds that start with a game of Monopoly) to keep you and your kids occupied inside while the snow falls outside.

3. If the power goes out:

• Turn a bathtub or shower faucet on a little bit and leave it dripping.  Water expands when it freezes, and if that happens inside your pipes, they can burst.  A dripping faucet can help keep the water moving and will reduce some of the pressure.

4. Keep your heat source in good condition.

• If you use a furnace, change your filters regularly (how often depends on how much you use it, what type of furnace and filters you use, and whether or not you have pets), and check to see what type of exhaust vent/pipe it uses.  Some types can become blocked by deeper-than-usual snow, and may need to be cleared periodically throughout any severe storms.
• If you use a fireplace, or a wood or pellet stove, make sure to have your chimney or exhaust vents inspected at least once a year, and cleaned or repaired if necessary.  Try to keep at least a week's worth of firewood or pellets on hand at all times.