Yankee ingenuity is synonymous with self-reliance, a quality our ancestors brought to bear when they settled here in Harvard. “Think Yankee” takes a look at the practical application of some of that ingenuity.

Home safety increases community safety, according to Fire Chief Bob Mignard, who urged families to develop emergency plans when he recapped the emergency services’ response to last year’s massive ice storm on Dec. 10. The Dec. 18 Harvard Press started off a series on home emergency planning with a 72-hour winter storm emergency home supply list. This week we look at house preparations for winter.

Understand what they’re talking about

Where better to look for tips on winter weather than Vermont? Vermont Emergency Management offers this checklist for getting a home ready for the cold, snow, and ice of winter. The first order of business is to understand what weather might be headed your way. This is how to translate the terminology used by weather forecasters:

• Winter storm watch—Be alert, a storm is likely.
• Winter storm warning—Take action, the storm is in or entering the area.
• Blizzard warning—Snow and strong winds combined will produce blinding snow, near zero visibility, deep drifts, and life-threatening wind chill. Seek refuge immediately.
• Winter weather advisory—Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous, especially to motorists.
• Frost/freeze warning—Below-freezing temperatures are expected and may cause damage to plants, crops, or fruit trees.

Have the right stuff on hand

Have on hand snow shovels and other snow removal equipment, as well as sand to improve traction. (Sand for walks and drives is available to town residents at the entrance to the Highway Department facility on Depot Road.) In areas not sensitive to salt, rock salt is useful to melt ice on walkways

Precautions to practice on your property

• Trim dead tree branches and limbs close to your home. Ice, snow and wind can combine to snap limbs that can take down power lines or damage your home.
• Clean gutters. Melting snow and ice can build up if gutters are clogged with debris. When thawing begins, the water can back up under your roof and eaves causing damage to walls and ceilings.
• Have your chimney flue checked for any buildup of creosote, and have it cleaned, if necessary, to lessen the risk of fire.
• Have sufficient heating fuel, as regular sources may be cut off and emergency deliveries could carry a premium charge. Have the option of keeping at least one room heated with a gas fireplace, wood-burning stove, or fireplace. Be sure the room is well ventilated. Generators should only be run outside.
• Ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working correctly and have fresh batteries. Check outside fuel exhaust vents, making sure that they are not obstructed by snow or ice. Never use cooking equipment intended for outside use indoors as a heat source or cooking device.
• Make sure your home is properly insulated. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows to keep cold air out.
• Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside to provide insulation.
• To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of newspapers, covering the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture. Let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing.
• Hire a contractor to check the structural ability of the roof to sustain unusually heavy weight from the accumulation of snow or water, if drains on flat roofs do not work.

Things you should know

• Know how to safely shut off gas, electric power, and water valves
• Check your homeowner’s insurance policy to ensure adequate coverage
• If your water supply could be affected by a power outage (a well-water pump system), be prepared to fill your bathtub and spare containers with water. Water in the bathtub should be used for sanitation purposes only, not as drinking water. Pouring a pail of water from the tub directly into the bowl can flush a toilet.
• Review the process for manually operating an electric garage door.
• Ensure that a winter emergency supply kit is stocked with supplies to enable you to survive on your own for at least three days.
• Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk when people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.
• Learn how to shut off water valves in case a pipe bursts.
• Keep car gas tanks at least half full.
• Be a good neighbor. Check with elderly or disabled relatives and neighbors to ensure they have made adequate preparations.

This list is adapted from information from the Vermont Department of Public Safety and www.mass.gov/MEMA. Other good sources of information on emergency planning include: www.FEMA.gov, 72hours.org and www.redcross.org.