Winter storm safety tips: how to stay warm, safe and prepared

DELMARVA - As a winter storm threatens to bring snow, ice and frigid temperatures to Delmarva, the National Weather Service is reminding people to take precautions to stay safe.

According to NWS, top concerns during a winter storm should be the potential loss of heat, electricity and phone service, and running low on critical supplies if conditions last more than a day. 

The National Weather Service recommends having the following on hand:

• A flashlight with extra batteries

• A battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and portable radio to get emergency updates

• Extra food and water, especially items that do not need cooking or refrigeration, like granola bars, nuts and dried fruit

• Prescription medications

• Supplies for babies, including diapers and formula

• A first-aid kit

• Heating fuel, topped off before the storm hits

• An emergency heat source, such as a fireplace, wood stove or properly ventilated space heater

• Fire extinguisher and working smoke alarms

• Extra pet food and a warm shelter for animals

Never run a generator indoors or in a garage. Carbon monoxide can build up quickly and become deadly said NWS. Make sure your carbon monoxide detector is working and that outside vents are free of snow, leaves or debris.

Stay up to date on the approaching winter storm with radar and hourly forecasts in the CoastTV weather app, available for Apple and Android.