Raleigh does not get much snow, but freezing rain is another story. A single ice storm can coat trees and power lines, close roads for a day or two and leave neighborhoods without power. The good news is that a little preparation in the fall makes those days far easier.
1. Plan for safe, small-space heat
If the power stays on but the house is cold, a space heater lets you warm the room you are using and keep the thermostat lower. Choose a model with tip-over and overheat shutoff, keep it three feet from anything that can burn and never run it overnight unattended.
2. Check your alarms before the storm
Heaters, candles and fireplaces all get more use during an ice storm, so it is the right time to test every smoke alarm. Hardwired alarms with battery backup keep working during an outage, and interconnected alarms warn the whole house at once.
3. Keep an extinguisher where you need it
Put one ABC extinguisher in the kitchen and one near the garage. Check that the gauge needle is in the green and that everyone in the house knows how to use it.
Your ice storm checklist
- Space heater with automatic shutoff
- Working smoke alarms on every level
- Fire extinguisher in the kitchen
- Warm blankets for each bedroom
- Flashlights and fresh batteries
- Phone chargers and a power bank
- Three days of water and easy food
- Car kit with jumper cables, in case roads open before power returns
Products from this list
Portable Heater Space Heaters for Indoor
A quiet space heater with an adjustable thermostat and a timer. Safety shutoff is built in.
First Alert Hardwire Smoke Alarm
A hardwired smoke alarm with battery backup that can link to the other alarms in your home. One button tests and silences it.
Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher
A dry chemical extinguisher rated for ordinary, liquid and electrical fires. It has a clear gauge and a wall bracket.