It’s Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning, which means he predicts six more weeks of winter.  

Whether it is an early spring or six more weeks of winter, it’s important to be prepared for the weather. It’s also essential to know how to stay safe in severe winter weather with these tips from Ready.gov:

• Stay indoors during the storm.
• Walk carefully on snowy, icy, walkways.
• Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack—a major cause of death in the winter. Use caution, take breaks, push the snow instead of lifting it when possible, and lift lighter loads.
• Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.
• Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive: travel in the day; don’t travel alone; keep others informed of your schedule; stay on main roads and avoid back road shortcuts.
• If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold.
• Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid build-up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least three feet from flammable objects.

Find more winter safety information in the America’s PrepareAthon! How to Prepare for a Winter Storm guide.

Planning a super feast for the Super Bowl?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Super Bowl Sunday is the second largest day for food consumption in the U.S. after Thanksgiving. Enjoy the big game and stay fire safe with these tips from the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA):

• Keep an eye on what you fry.
• Stand by your pan.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
• Wear short sleeves or rolled up sleeves.
• Keep a pan lid or cookie sheet nearby to cover the pan if it catches fire.

The USFA says cooking is the main cause of home fires and fire injuries. Find more tips to stay safe on the USFA’s Cooking Safety page.

Many communities remain unprepared, as only 30% of those who live in winter storm hazard areas have participated in a disaster exercise in the past year.

Even a small amount of snow can impact your community, making it critical to have a plan in place for winter weather. Be there for your neighbors when the next storm hits by finding a local CERT program near you and joining.