Beth Coughlin, Contributing writer

Properly preparing your family and your home can make winter weather emergencies an inconvenience instead of a potentially life-threatening event.

Of course, experts including the Federal Emergency Management Agency suggest having a basic emergency kit ready throughout the year.

Basic Emergency Kit

FEMA says the most important things to have on hand in one place are food; water; a first aid kit; clothing, bedding and personal hygiene items; tools and specialty items.

The agency suggests having a supply that can last three to seven days. For water, lay in one gallon per person per day. Food should include canned meats, vegetables, fruits, milk and juice. Also, high-energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars and trail mix work. The food should be capable of being eaten as-it, though for improved taste you can invest in Sterno or a camp stove.

For your first aid kit, remember to go beyond the basics. Include at least a week of prescriptions for any family members with ongoing medical needs.

Clothing, bedding and hygiene articles are critical. Include one complete change of clothing per person, bedding, appropriate outerwear and rain gear. Also, make sure to include a warm winter coat for every family member.

Other standard components are personal hygiene items, disinfectant, and household bleach.

Knowing where certain tools are can lower stress and increase comfort in an emergency. Flashlights, batteries, wrenches for turning off gas and water supplies and multi-tools all have a place in a winter emergency tool kit.

Finally, set aside all your important documents. Identification, wills, insurance paperwork and any portable valuable or financial instruments such as bonds should be ready to go.

People with infants may need additional care items for your baby not included in the standard kit.

Ready For Winter

Some winter emergency supplies that should supplement your basic emergency kit.

Lifehacker.com's suggestions include tools and material for emergency repairs. The site notes that a broken window in cold weather can be the difference between staying comfortable and being miserable. It suggests keeping plastic sheeting and duct tape handy.

Another thing to store is an alternate heating source, such as kerosene space heaters, wood stoves or propane heaters. Whatever you use, it should be tested monthly and maintained properly. That includes getting a chimney cleaned before you need it.

You also need at least a three-day supply of fuel.

In case you need to drive somewhere, you should make sure to check your antifreeze and keep more than a half of a tank of fuel in your car. Inside the car, store a bag of rock salt or sand, windshield washer fluid, booster cables and a tow rope or chain.

Prepare The Structure

You also need to get the physical part of your house in order. That includes winterizing windows, caulking gaps and insulating pipes.

Cleaning gutters and trimming overhanging branches can help prevent damage from storms.

Finally, ensure that you have a way to both monitor the situation and communicate. Keep a radio with extra batteries. Ensure you have a cellular phone and a car charger in case you have no other electrical source.

Winter emergencies can be difficult, but taking these simple preparation steps can make a potential emergency situation into a moderately comfortable one.