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  For more than 20 years Earth Networks has operated the world’s largest and most comprehensive weather observation, lightning detection, and climate networks.
  
  We are now leveraging our big data smarts to deliver on the promise of IoT. By integrating our hyper-local weather data with Smart Home connected devices we are delievering predictive energy efficiency insight to homeowners and Utility companies.
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As winter prepares to unleash itself on the remainder of the U.S. that has not had a taste of snow just yet, don’t be left out in the cold. A few friendly reminders will help you navigate the first winter storm without any trouble.

While the Mountain West, northern Plains, Great Lakes and Northeast might have already gone through this drill, the remainder of the U.S. still has yet to see winter's fury. Now is the time to stock the car trunk with emergency supplies. A cell phone charger, warm clothing, flashlight, first aid kit, jumper cables, snow shovel and brush and sand or kitty litter are essential. You never know when you will hit an ice or snow patch, especially when traveling rural routes, so the traction from kitty litter or sand will come in handy.

Make sure you have a spare tire and know how to safely remove the old tire and replace it with the spare. The last thing you need is to run over a nail, get a flat out in the cold or a snowstorm with nobody around to assist you in getting to the nearest mechanic shop.

Before everyone else crowds the store and depletes the supplies, head out today and grab your emergency stash for the home. This includes a NOAA weather radio, dried fruit, nuts and granola bars (that don’t require cooking or refrigeration), extra pet food, diapers and formula for your baby and heating fuel should the power go out and the house quickly get cold.

Conventional wisdom is to check your smoke alarm twice during the spring and fall during the time change. Do another test to make sure the device is working properly and doesn’t need a new battery.

Also, have a fire extinguisher on hand in case the heavy weight of snow or ice causes a nearby transmission line to fail near your house or your external heat source comes in close contact with a flammable object.

Hopefully this advice will go a long way to keep you safe when the first winter storm strikes your area or along your route to work, school or vacation.

Story Image: Eastern Washington is seen during a winter storm on November 28, 2022. (Jason Krump via Storyful)

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Prepare Now For The First Winter Storm