As Washington County is expected to receive a dose of winter weather this weekend, residents are reminded of the importance of being prepared when stuck at home.

Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen says besides weatherizing your home for cold temperatures, possible freezing pipes, and power outages, it’s important to have an emergency kit in case storm conditions and power and heat shortages last longer than a day, “It’s good to have the necessities on hand, at home in case you can’t leave the house. So you want to have non-perishable food, plenty of drinkable water, solar chargers are a great thing to have in the event that you would lose power.”

Reisen advises a home emergency kit should also include any medications or other specific needs you and other members of your household or pets have, a flashlight and extra batteries, a battery-powered radio to receive weather alerts, and cash if necessary.