Winter is Coming: What you need to know for the upcoming cold front
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - The 4Warn Storm Team says Oklahoma has a stretch of subfreezing temperatures and snow on the way, so KFOR talked with several experts on what you need to do to prepare.
Preparing your home
- Make sure your furnace is maintained with a strong flame and no leaks.
- Keep smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the house with good batteries
- Drip or trickle your faucets and keep cabinet doors open
- Remove hoses and put a cover on outside spouts
- Keep generators away from the home
- Never leave space heaters or open flames unattended
Preparing your car
- Make an emergency kit with water, snacks, blankets, etc.
- Fill your gas tank
- Make sure tires are well treaded and inner workings are well maintained
- Avoid travel if possible, but let someone know where you're going and for how long if you do need to get out
In case of a power outage
- Charge phones and power banks before the storm hits
- Buy nonperishable food and bottled water
- Keep flashlights, batteries and candles handy
- Have a cooler and ice packs on hand for refrigerated medications
Keeping your pets safe
- Limit time outdoors
- Keep away from road salt and antifreeze
- Protect paws, ears, noses and tails from frostbite
- Give outdoor animals a warm, dry place out of the wind
Going outside
- Layer up with loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothes
- Protect your extremities with gloves, masks and scarves
- Limit time outdoors
- Keep dry
- Avoid overexertion - extreme cold puts strain on the heart and lungs
- Keep clear of fallen power lines
Community safety
- Check on neighbors, especially those who are elderly or live alone
- Keep up-to-date with the latest news, forecasts, and government alerts
- Oklahoma City's permanent winter shelter is located at 501 N Indiana and has room for pets
- The Homeless Alliance, City Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, City Care, Sisu Youth and Pivot all have shelter available during winter weather
- Warming stations are set up around the state and EMBARK has stops at locations in Oklahoma City and Norman.