Ready Before the Freeze: A Home Emergency Check

November is a good time to look beyond the usual fall cleanup and ask a few practical questions. If the lights went out tonight, could you find a flashlight? If a pipe started leaking, would you know where to turn off the water? Would everyone at home know what to do?

For Northern Virginia homeowners, a cold-weather emergency check can start with a walk through the house. Focus on these five areas before freezing weather arrives.

1. Make a plan for a power outage

Put flashlights or battery-powered lanterns where you can find them in the dark, and check that they work. Keep spare batteries and a charged phone power bank nearby. Use battery-powered lighting rather than candles.

Save your electric utility's outage-reporting information and sign up for local emergency alerts. Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio with your supplies so you have another way to receive updates. If someone relies on powered medical equipment or refrigerated medication, work out a backup plan with their healthcare provider before an outage.

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed when the power goes out. Do not taste food to determine whether it is safe. CDC power-outage guidance offers additional safety information.

2. Check your heating and carbon monoxide protection

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms according to their instructions, check replacement dates, and make sure your CO alarms have battery backup or battery power. Schedule professional service for heating equipment and inspection of chimneys and vents if they are due.

If you use an electric space heater, plug it directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip. Keep it on a stable surface, at least three feet from bedding, curtains, furniture, and other things that can burn. Turn it off before leaving the room or going to sleep. See the Red Cross heating-safety guidance.

Never heat your home with an oven or bring an outdoor grill or camping stove inside. Portable generators must operate outdoors, at least 20 feet from the house, with exhaust directed away from doors, windows, and vents. Never run one in a garage, even with the door open. Follow the manufacturer's safety instructions.

If a CO alarm sounds, get everyone outside immediately, including pets, and call 911 from outside. Do not reenter until emergency responders say it is safe. The Red Cross CO guide explains these precautions.

3. Find your water shutoff and protect vulnerable pipes

Locate your home's main water shutoff, label it, and make sure the adults in your household know how to use it. If you are unsure which valve is yours or it is difficult to operate, ask a plumber before you need it urgently.

Disconnect outdoor hoses and have outdoor water lines shut off and drained as appropriate for your plumbing. Check exposed pipes in unheated spaces for insulation. During a cold spell, open sink-cabinet doors to let warmer air reach vulnerable pipes, moving cleaners out of children's and pets' reach. The Red Cross frozen-pipe guide has more prevention tips.

If a pipe bursts, shut off the water if you can reach the valve safely and call a plumber. Never use a torch to thaw a frozen pipe. Stay out of standing water near electrical equipment, and do not touch switches or the electrical panel while standing in water. Fairfax County's pipe guidance explains when a water leak also requires emergency help.

4. Gather supplies for the people and pets in your home

Start with what you already have and fill the gaps. Keep several days of shelf-stable food that your household will actually eat, a manual can opener, first-aid supplies, hygiene items, warm layers, and blankets together in an accessible place.

For water, the CDC recommends at least one gallon per person per day for three days, with a two-week supply if possible. Account for pets and additional household needs. Check its emergency water guidance.

Include needed medications and supplies for infants, older adults, or anyone with accessibility needs. Add pet food, water, medications, a leash or carrier, and cleanup supplies. Review expiration dates and replace anything used since your last check. Ready.gov's supply checklist is a useful starting point.

5. Walk through the plan together

Talk through where you would go if your home could not stay safely warm, how you would get there, and whether pets could come with you. Write down important phone numbers, choose an out-of-area contact, and agree on a meeting place if you become separated.

Show everyone where the lights and supplies are kept. Discuss who may need help leaving, and arrange a check-in with a nearby friend or neighbor. Keep a paper copy of the plan where it is easy to find. The CDC's household communication guidance can help you get started.

You do not need to tackle every item at once. Pick one gap to close today, then work through the rest while the weather is still on your side.