Winter weather brings beautiful scenery and fun mountain sports, but it can also mean emergencies and inconvenient outages. You might not have the power to control the weather, but you do have the power to prepare ahead of time. 

A few preparations can help you stay comfortable at home during power outages, prevent damage to your home, help you stay safe on the road, and more.  

We’re sharing a few winter preparation tips that you can use throughout the season to keep things as stress-free as possible.  

Winter Preparedness at Home 

• Check the trees near your home to make sure there isn’t a serious risk of a tree falling on your house or car during winter storms. 
• Keep your gutters clear to prevent ice dams. Letting ice build up on your roof can lead to expensive water damage. 
• Stock a few lanterns and flashlights around your home and make sure they are easy to find quickly if the lights go out.  
• Invest in a power station for emergency backup power during outages. It can keep lights on, fridges running, Wi-Fi routers powered and more. And as a bonus, you can use it for non-emergencies too. Portable power stations come in handy during summer barbecues, camping trips, beach outings, and in your RV. 

Winter Preparedness on the Road 

• Check your tires to make sure they have enough traction before winter storms hit the roads. 
• Avoid letting your gas tank get low. 
• Check the weather and alternate routes before heading out on a road trip. 
• Make sure you have an ice scraper and de-icing windshield washer fluid. 
• Prepare a winter emergency kit for your car. Consider including: 
• A first aid kit 
• The Goal Zero Venture Jump so you can jumpstart your battery without another car to help 
• A Torch 500 that works as a spotlight and floodlight. 
• Blankets 
• Insulated drinking water (so it doesn’t freeze) 
• Non-perishable snacks 
• Flares 
• A bag of sand or cat litter 
• A power bank to recharge phones in emergencies 

A little bit of preparation gives you peace of mind so you can enjoy the best parts of the season. We hope you stay safe and cozy this winter!