12/09/2025
Please share to keep everyone safe at home and on the roads!
❄️ Top 10 Winter Preparation Tips for Minnesota
1. Winterize Your Home
-Seal drafts around windows/doors with weatherstripping or caulk
-Install window plastic kits for older windows
2. Service Your Heating System
-Schedule a furnace tune-up
-Change furnace filters monthly
-If you use space heaters, make sure they’re safe and meet updated standards; DO NOT plug them in power strips and DO NOT SHARE multiple space heaters to one outlet.
3. Prepare an Emergency Home Kit
Include:
-Flashlights + batteries (various sizes for different electronics)
-Battery-powered radio
-Extra blankets
-Bottled water
-Nonperishable food
-First aid supplies
-Backup phone charger/power bank
4. Winterize Your Vehicle
-Have a good snow and ice scraper to get those hard to reach places
-Check battery health (cold kills weak batteries)
-Inspect tires or switch to snow tires
-Check antifreeze level
-Replace wipers with winter blades
-Keep washer fluid rated for –20°F or lower
5. Pack a Car Emergency Kit
Must-haves:
-flashlight
-Jumper cables
-Ice scraper + snow brush
-Shovel
-Blanket
-Extra gloves/hat
-Snacks + water
-Sand or kitty litter for traction
-Emergency flares/reflective triangles
6. Prepare for Snow Removal
-Test/maintain your snowblower
-Keep gas and oil for snowblower
-Have at least one sturdy snow shovel
-Stock up on ice melt (pet- and driveway-safe if needed)
7. Protect Your Pipes
-Insulate exposed pipes
-Allow faucets to drip during deep freezes
-Know where your main water shutoff is
-Keep your home heated above 55°F even if traveling
8. Check Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors
-Replace batteries
-Test alarms
-Install CO detectors on every floor, especially near bedrooms
9. Prepare for Power Outages
-Have blankets + layers ready
-Keep devices charged
-Consider a portable generator (and always use it outdoors)
-Know how to manually open your garage door
10. Dress for Extreme Cold
-Invest in good-quality winter gear: insulated boots, windproof coat, hats, gloves
-Use layers: base layer (moisture-wicking), insulating layer, windproof outer layer
-Keep an emergency winter outfit in your car; I like to have a coat and thicker pants in the trunk.
Your family and friends love you. Be safe if you are driving.