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Printable winter checklists (Home, Car & First-Timer)

Press Ctrl+P (or Print on your phone) on this page to print clean, one-page reference sheets for your refrigerator door and your car's glovebox.

If you only do three things

Keep a printed copy of the Stuck Car & Black Ice card in your glovebox in case your phone battery dies in the cold.
Tape your Main Water Shutoff Valve location note inside your utility closet or kitchen pantry.
Write down your electric utility's outage phone number and your county's non-emergency number on paper before a storm.

STEP 1 (LIFE SAFETY): Step out and clear all snow from the rear exhaust tailpipe so deadly carbon monoxide cannot enter the car.
STEP 2: Stop spinning the tires. Straighten the steering wheel so the front wheels point dead straight ahead.
STEP 3: Clear snow from in front of all 4 tires. Wedge floor mats, sand, or kitty litter under the drive wheels.
STEP 4: Turn OFF Traction Control temporarily, shift to Low (L/2), and press the gas gently to roll out. Turn Traction Control back ON once free.
IF STRANDED: Stay with your car, tie a bright cloth to the mirror/antenna, crack a downwind window 1/2 inch, and run the heater 10 minutes per hour.

BELOW 28°F (-2°C): Disconnect garden hoses, cover outdoor spigots, open sink cabinet doors on exterior walls, and drip faucets (both hot & cold).
IF PIPE FREEZES (NO WATER): Leave the faucet OPEN and warm the pipe slowly with a hair dryer—never an open flame.
IF PIPE BURSTS: Shut off the Main Water Valve immediately, then turn off the Water Heater breaker/gas.
IF POWER FAILS IN FREEZING COLD: Move everyone into One Warm Room, never use gas ovens/grills/generators indoors, and drain pipes if indoor temp drops below 40°F (4°C).