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How to Weather Winter Storm Warnings

Senior Staff Writer, Safety & Security

March 08, 2022

When huge winter storms are wrapping their snowy, icy arms around the US winter storm warnings get sent out. Winter storm warnings mean more than just colder temperatures. They mean dangerous conditions you need to prep for. Here's what you need to know to stay warm and safe.

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A weather radar map showing a storm warning

A winter storm warning. Image: SafeWise

Don't travel

A winter storm warning means that there will be significant ice, snow, blowing snow, sleet, or a combination of these.¹ That adds up to poor driving conditions in many areas of the country (we're looking at you southern states).

Just stay home. And if you have to drive stick to well-traveled city streets to avoid ice patches on highways and bridges.

For more, check out our best winter driving tips.

Make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working

Best CO detector pick

Google Nest Protect

$119.00

View on Google Store

Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

If you use anything other than electric or solar to keep your home warm, make sure your carbon monoxide detector is working properly. Wood, natural gas, propane, and other heating fuels can create this deadly, colorless, odorless gas. You need a reliable warning system if carbon monoxide is present in your home.

Learn more in our carbon monoxide guide.

Stay warm

Heating your home can be a challenge as the temperatures dip. Here are some ways to stay warm:

Use one room as your "warming station."
Have pets, family members, and roommates stay in this room (with the doors closed) as much as possible. The body heat will keep the room toastier.
Hang quilts or blankets over windows and open doorways to insulate your warming station.
Make your ceiling fans rotate counter clock-wise to push warm air down from the ceiling to your level. There's a switch that changes the fan's direction just below the blades.

Don't use your stove or oven as heating

Image: Ron Lach, Pexels

While you can take advantage of cold weather to up your baking game and supplement the warmth in your house, don't use your stove or oven as a heating source. Leaving your stove or oven on can increase your chances of fire, accidental burns, and CO poisoning.

Give your space heaters space

Best space heater pick

Dr. Infrared Heater

$149.99

View on Amazon

Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Be sure to keep at least three feet of space clear around your space heaters to prevent fires.

Check out our other space heater safety tips.

Space heater tips video

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Related articles on SafeWise

Sources

National Weather Service, "Winter Weather Warnings, Watches, and Advisories." Accessed March 8, 2022.

Disclaimer

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided "as is" and is subject to change or removal at any time.

†Google, Google Nest, Nest Protect, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.

Written by

Alina Bradford

Alina has been reviewing the latest tech for more than a decade and has contributed her insights to CNET, CBS, Digital Trends, MTV, Top Ten Reviews, and many others. She specializes in smart home and security technology, working to make gadgets less mystifying one article at a time. In the early 2000s, Alina worked as a volunteer firefighter, earning her first responder certification. Her activities aren’t nearly as dangerous today. Her hobbies include fixing up her 100-year-old house, doing artsy stuff, and going to the lake with her family.