A Nor’easter is a storm along the East Coast of North America, so called because the winds over the coastal area are typically from the northeast. These storms occur at any time of year but are most frequent between September and April.

Some well-known Nor’easters include the notorious Blizzard of 1888, the “Ash Wednesday” storm of March 1962, the New England Blizzard of February 1978, the March 1993 “Superstorm” and the recent Boston snowstorms of January and February 2015. Past Nor’easters have been responsible for billions of dollars in damage and in some cases, disastrous coastal flooding. Damage from the worst storms can exceed a billion dollars.

Nor’easter survival means being prepared ahead of inclement weather. Nor’easters can cause power shortages, treacherous roadways, and sub-zero temperatures, and if you’re not properly prepared, you may be caught in a dangerous situation.

With a potential Nor’easter set to blast the Northeast and New England with heavy snow that could significantly disrupt travel across the region, here are nine Nor’easter and blizzard survival tips that can help you better prepare and be ready for the coming storm.

Nine Tips to Stay Safe During a Nor’easter

1. Avoid possible whiteout conditions by staying off the roads.
2. Remain indoors until local government authorities say it’s safe to resume driving.
3. Prepare an emergency kit for your home and car. Make sure your kit includes emergency equipment like flashlights, extra batteries, some non-perishable food items, a bottle of water and a battery-operated radio so you can keep track of the weather in the event you’re stranded in your car or in your home without power. It’s also a good idea to keep a sleeping bag or wool blanket in each of your emergency kits.
4. If you lose heat in your home, make sure you know how to use an alternative form of heat such as a kerosene heater or fireplace. Just make sure you practice safe fire handling practices and maintain proper and correct ventilation. Never use any form of heater without the right ventilation.
5. Before the storm hits, take the time to insulate your pipes to keep water flowing and prevent pipes from freezing.
6. Fully charge your cell phone before the storm hits.
7. Always keep plenty of non-perishable food items on hand such as canned goods and food products that don’t need to be heated. Bread, fruits, etc. can stand being at room temperature for a few days. Don’t forget pet supplies as well.
8. Just in case your water supply gets cut-off or contaminated during a blizzard, it’s a good idea to have a supply of clean drinking water on hand. Keep at least 10 gallons of water on hand, more if you have a large number of household members.
9. Staying warm is critical in the event of a blizzard. Prevent hypothermia from occurring by wearing loose, warm, layered clothing. Things like mittens and multi layers of wool socks and a good warm winter blanket are essential.

All of us at Security Specialists Want You to Stay Safe This Winter!