Bob Hill is the Brookings County emergency manager.

Forty-six degrees Fahrenheit on Jan. 29. It would make a normal person think spring is near. I don’t want to hurt anyone's feelings, but if I was a betting person I would bet that we will see more wintertime weather before we see real springtime.

Yes, please enjoy it while you can — I just want you to be prepared for when the temperatures turn the other direction.

I do not need to give you a warning about being on the ice; the Brookings Register is keeping you updated about the vehicles that are finding the bad spots. There is still plenty of ice on the lakes, but you need to be careful.

I am going to remind you to stay prepared for the unexpected. So, this time I will again cover being prepared for winter weather.

Be prepared for winter weather

Prepare for winter storms by planning ahead, getting supplies, and getting your home and car ready.

During extremely cold weather or winter storms, staying warm and safe can be a challenge. Winter storms can bring cold temperatures, power failures, loss of communication services, and icy roads. To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, you should know how to prepare your home and your car before a winter storm hits.

Make a plan

Be prepared before a winter storm hits by planning ahead. If you are in an area prone to winter weather, be sure to create a communication and disaster plan for your family ahead of time. It is always a good thing to review the plan yearly and update any contact information that is in it. A good example is telephone numbers. Every year I see people cutting the cord and going from a landline phone to a cellphone. You should update the plan with the latest phone number for this purpose.

Keep your home ready

Weatherproof your home

• Insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls so your water supply will be less likely to freeze.
• Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
• Insulate walls and attic.
• Install storm or thermal-pane windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside.
• Repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on your home or other structures during a storm.

Have your chimney or flue inspected each year

If you plan to use a fireplace or wood stove for emergency heating, have your chimney or flue inspected each year. Ask your local fire department to recommend an inspector or find one online.

Install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector

• If you’re using a fireplace, wood stove, or kerosene heater, install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near the area to be heated. Test them monthly and replace batteries twice a year.
• Keep a multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher nearby.
• All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside.
• Each winter season have your furnace system and vent checked by a qualified technician to ensure they are functioning properly.

For older adults, keep an easy-to-read thermometer inside your home

If you or a loved one are over 65 years old, place an easy-to-read thermometer in an indoor location where you will see it frequently. Our ability to feel a change in temperature decreases with age. Older adults are more susceptible to health problems caused by cold. Check the temperature of your home often during the winter months.

Keep your car ready

Make sure your car is ready for winter weather

Have maintenance service on your vehicle as often as the manufacturer recommends. In addition, every fall, do the following:

• Have the radiator system serviced or check the antifreeze level yourself with an antifreeze tester. Add antifreeze as needed.
• Replace windshield-wiper fluid with a wintertime mixture.
• Make sure the tires on your car have adequate tread and air pressure. Replace any worn tires and fill low tires with air to the proper pressure recommended for your car (typically between 30-35 psi).
• Keep the gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
• Keep your car in good working order. Be sure to check the following: heater, defroster, brakes, brake fluid, ignition, emergency flashers, exhaust, oil, and battery.

Create an emergency car kit

It is best to avoid traveling during bad weather, but if travel is necessary, keep the following in your car:

• Cellphone, portable charger, and extra batteries
• Items to stay warm such as extra hats, coats, mittens, and blankets
• Windshield scraper
• Shovel
• Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Water and snack food
• First aid kit with any necessary medications and a pocketknife
• Tow chains or rope
• Tire chains
• Canned compressed air with sealant for emergency tire repair
• Cat litter or sand to help tires get traction, or road salt to melt ice
• Booster cables with fully charged battery or jumper cables
• Hazard or other reflectors
• Bright-colored flag or help signs, emergency distress flag, and/or emergency flares
• Road maps
• Waterproof matches and a can to melt snow for water

Steps to take before the storm hits

Listen to weather forecasts and check your supplies

Listen to weather forecasts regularly and check your emergency supplies, including your emergency food and water supply, whenever you are expecting a winter storm or extreme cold. Even though we can't always predict extreme cold in advance, weather forecasts can sometimes give you several days of notice to prepare.

Bring your pets indoors

If you have pets, bring them indoors. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they have access to unfrozen water.

In closing, enjoy the nice weather while we have it, and always keep an eye on the sky.

Bob the EM