Every New England winter brings at least a few storms that shut down schools, snarl traffic and knock out power. Most households can ride out a day or two at home. But a multi-day outage during bitter cold can turn dangerous quickly, especially for older adults, people with medical equipment that needs electricity, families with infants and anyone living alone.
Preparing as individuals is important. Preparing as neighbors is even better. This guide explains how to build a simple storm-ready plan for your street or building, with practical checklists for households and a buddy system that makes sure no one is forgotten.
Start With Your Own Household
You can help neighbors more effectively when your own household is ready. Put together a basic winter storm kit with enough supplies for several days:
- Water for drinking and basic hygiene
- Shelf-stable food that does not require cooking, plus a manual can opener
- Flashlights and extra batteries, avoiding candles where possible because of fire risk
- A battery-powered or hand-crank radio for updates
- Phone chargers and a portable power bank, fully charged before the storm
- Warm blankets, sleeping bags and extra layers of clothing
- A basic first aid kit
- A supply of any necessary medications
- Pet food and supplies
- Copies of important documents in a waterproof bag
- Snow shovels, ice melt and sand
Heating and Carbon Monoxide Safety
Every winter, people are harmed by unsafe heating during outages. Follow these essential safety practices:
- Never use generators, grills, camp stoves or charcoal indoors, including in garages, basements or near open windows.
- Never use a gas oven or stove to heat your home.
- Keep generators outside and far from doors, windows and vents.
- Make sure carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms are installed and have working batteries.
- Clear snow from outdoor heating and dryer vents after storms so exhaust can escape.
- Use space heaters according to manufacturer instructions, keep them away from anything flammable and never leave them unattended.
If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds or anyone feels dizzy, nauseous or confused, get everyone outside to fresh air and call 911.
Sign Up for Alerts
Stay informed with official sources. Sign up for your city or town’s emergency alerts, follow your local emergency management agency, and know how to report outages to your electric utility. Make sure your phone can receive wireless emergency alerts. Share these resources with neighbors who may not know about them.
Build a Storm Buddy System
A buddy system pairs neighbors so everyone has someone checking on them before, during and after a storm. Here is how to set one up:
- Gather interested neighbors. Start with a building, a few houses or a whole block.
- Identify who may need extra help. Ask, never assume. Some neighbors may rely on electric medical devices, have limited mobility, care for young children alone or simply prefer someone to check in.
- Pair each household with a buddy who lives nearby.
- Exchange contact information and an emergency contact, if people are comfortable sharing.
- Agree on a check-in plan, such as a call or text the evening before the storm, once during, and after it passes.
- Keep a shared list private, accessible only to those coordinating.
Before the Storm
When forecasts call for a major storm, use this checklist with your buddies:
- Confirm everyone has food, water, medications and a way to stay warm.
- Charge phones and power banks.
- Pick up groceries or prescriptions for anyone who cannot get out.
- Move cars off streets with snow emergency parking restrictions.
- Make sure shovels and ice melt are accessible.
- Check that neighbors know where to find warming center information if power goes out.
During the Storm
Stay off roads unless travel is essential. Check in with your buddies by phone or text rather than going outside in dangerous conditions. If someone loses power and heat for an extended time, help them find a safer place to stay, such as with family, a friend or an official warming center. For any emergency, call 911.
After the Storm
Once it is safe, the neighborhood can work together:
- Check on buddies in person, especially older or isolated neighbors.
- Shovel walks, steps and paths for those who need help.
- Clear fire hydrants and storm drains.
- Clear snow from heating and dryer vents.
- Report downed wires to the utility or 911 and stay far away from them.
- Report unplowed streets, blocked curb cuts and other issues to 311 or your city’s public works.
- Share extra food or supplies with neighbors who ran short.
Plan for Medical Needs
Residents who depend on electrically powered medical equipment should talk with their health care provider and equipment supplier about backup power options. Some electric utilities allow customers with medical needs to register for priority notification or support. Encourage neighbors who rely on such equipment to look into these options before the next storm.
Do a Practice Run
Before the next big storm, test your buddy system with a simple check-in exercise. Send a group message and see how quickly everyone responds. Update contact information, fill gaps and adjust pairings as needed. A short practice can reveal problems before they matter.
Neighborhood Readiness Checklist
- Every household has a basic storm kit
- Carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are working
- Neighbors are signed up for emergency alerts
- Buddy pairs are assigned and contact lists are up to date
- Neighbors with medical needs have backup plans
- A post-storm shoveling and hydrant-clearing plan is in place
Quick check: During a power outage, where is it safe to run a portable generator?
- In the basement with a window cracked.
- Outside, far from doors, windows and vents.
- In an attached garage with the door open.
Show answer
B. Generators produce carbon monoxide and must be run outdoors, well away from openings into the home.
