Are you prepared for the Winter of 2012?

With winter just around the corner, and memories of the great 2011 Blizzard, and predictions of the snowiest winter on record set to hit Chicago, I thought it might be helpful to post some preparedness tips.

Before the storm arrives, prepare your home for winter - insulate your windows. insulate your attic to help prevent ice dams. Insulate any pipes on outside walls to prevent frozen pipes. If you do encounter frozen pipes, try to thaw slowly, by using a hair dryer. Make sure your gutters are cleared and your downspouts clear from debris.

Stock, your car, your pantry and home now, BEFORE the storms are imminent in order to beat the rush and guarantee your own and your family's safety.

Stock up on water, plenty of water for drinking, and when you hear a storm is coming fill all the tubs in your home for secondary water use. Stock up on dry goods and canned goods and be sure to have a good old fashioned manual can opener on hand as there will be a good chance there won't be any electricity.

When one day stranded turns into 3 or 4 you'll be glad you were prepared. Stock up on medications and contact lenses/solution...just in case. Better safe than sorry.

Taking a page from last year's storm we learned to make sure all your fluid levels are topped off in your vehicle. Have blankets, extra clothing, boots, shovel, salt, jumper cables, flashlight, batteries, caution flashers and a cell phone on hand in your car just in case you get stranded on Lakeshore drive. Haha. But seriously folks...this is no laughing matter. If you do get stranded with no where to go, run your engine for about 15 minutes per hour, simply enough to heat your interior, and conserve your gas. If you find yourself in a traffic jam, coordinate with other drivers moving from car to car.

At home, be prepared with firewood for the fireplace or a back up heat source. A back up generator may be a good investment this year (but exercise caution, read the directions for use carefully and make SURE it is ventilated correctly). Close off rooms that you aren't using. Battery operated candles are becoming wildly popular and those combined with flashlights are a great safe alternative to the real thing. Make sure you have smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors installed and operational.

Make sure you have a plan and tell everyone about it...it may just save a life. Stay safe out there.