With the oncoming winter, residents should prepare their homes for any possible disaster.

Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen says that homeowners should be prepared in case cold weather causes a power outage, “You want to make sure you have extra blankets, winter coats, sleeping bags, so if you do lose heat you have ways to keep yourself warm. If you have a wood-burning fireplace make sure you have it serviced, cleaned out before you would use it. And if you have a place, keep some extra wood inside the house so you’re not having to go in and out if you don’t have power. That just lets more cold air into the house.”

Reisen advises to have a 72-hour emergency kit, which provides enough food, water and other supplies for each person in your home to last for at least 72 hours. The Department of Homeland Security provides a list of recommended items for a home emergency kit online at ready.gov.