The weekend storm of October 25 and 26, reminded us that winter weather is back.

Many lost power, some for multiple days. It certainly was a winter and general preparedness wake up call! Were you prepared?

• Did you have flashlights, extra batteries and bulbs ready?

• Was your generator tuned up, transfer switch installed or adequate cords with the correct connections on hand.

• Were your gas cans full of stabilized gas?

• Oil lamps, fuel, candles on hand?

• Are you ready for cold weather? Be sure you have adequate weather stripping and insulation.

• Winterize your RV, outdoor plumbing and irrigation.

• Install and plug in heat tape on high risk pipes.

• Find your snow shovel and lay in a supply of ice melt.

• Make sure the gasket on your wood stove is in good shape, and your chimney is clean.

• Install fresh batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

• Top off your wiper washer fluid, check your battery, break out the ice scraper, and find those tire chains.

• Be ready for school closures with sleds, hand warmers, gloves, hats, cocoa, board games and puzzles.

We’ll save the extreme rain events (roof leaks, sump pumps, flooding) for another day.