Something Minnesota is known for is its cold temperatures in the winter, along with the snow. If you remember the winter of 2014, you may remember that there were some severe ice storms and record snowfalls that knocked out power to thousands of utility customers. This resulted in a need for the National Guard to open armories so residents had a place to go to get warm.

Anytime the weather is bad or the snowfall is deep, it can be difficult for utility workers to access utility poles. This means that the power can be out for days as they deal with bad conditions as they move from area-to-area.

Some of the lessons learned from last winter include hiring someone else to shovel your snow because of the heart attack dangers, making sure you have plenty of supplies in case you can’t get out and drive due to road conditions, and making sure you have a backup emergency generator that will keep the lights and heat on while grid power is out.

And not only does a generator keep your lights on, but it also keeps you safe in that you stay warm, can properly prepare food, and can safely navigate your home. Most importantly, you can stay home instead of having to find a shelter that may be overcrowded. Sometimes, comfort is a very important aspect of having a standby generator.

So when preparing for the winter, here are some things that you need to do:

• Invest in a backup generator so you have the power you need when grid power is gone.
• Stock the kitchen with non-perishable food items.
• Make sure you have plenty of first aid supplies so you can easily treat an injury.
• In case the cable goes out, make sure you have access to the Internet through your smart phone or have a working radio on-hand
• If you already have a standby generator, ensure the proper pre-winter maintenance is done.

By doing these things, you can make sure you and your family are protected.