Winter is Coming: What you need to know for the upcoming cold front

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - The 4Warn Storm Team says Oklahoma has a stretch of subfreezing temperatures and snow on the way, so KFOR talked with several experts on what you need to do to prepare.

Preparing your home

• Make sure your furnace is maintained with a strong flame and no leaks.
• Keep smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the house with good batteries
• Drip or trickle your faucets and keep cabinet doors open
• Remove hoses and put a cover on outside spouts
• Keep generators away from the home
• Never leave space heaters or open flames unattended

Preparing your car

• Make an emergency kit with water, snacks, blankets, etc.
• Fill your gas tank
• Make sure tires are well treaded and inner workings are well maintained
• Avoid travel if possible, but let someone know where you're going and for how long if you do need to get out

In case of a power outage

• Charge phones and power banks before the storm hits
• Buy nonperishable food and bottled water
• Keep flashlights, batteries and candles handy
• Have a cooler and ice packs on hand for refrigerated medications

Keeping your pets safe

• Limit time outdoors
• Keep away from road salt and antifreeze
• Protect paws, ears, noses and tails from frostbite
• Give outdoor animals a warm, dry place out of the wind

Going outside

• Layer up with loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothes
• Protect your extremities with gloves, masks and scarves
• Limit time outdoors
• Keep dry
• Avoid overexertion - extreme cold puts strain on the heart and lungs
• Keep clear of fallen power lines

Community safety

• Check on neighbors, especially those who are elderly or live alone
• Keep up-to-date with the latest news, forecasts, and government alerts
• Oklahoma City's permanent winter shelter is located at 501 N Indiana and has room for pets
• The Homeless Alliance, City Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, City Care, Sisu Youth and Pivot all have shelter available during winter weather
• Warming stations are set up around the state and EMBARK has stops at locations in Oklahoma City and Norman.