Winter Storm Essentials

Stay safe, warm and comfortable when severe weather strikes.

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Beating the Blizzard - As a powerful winter storm bears down across the Northeast this weekend, we’re giving you a rundown of what to have on hand at home to help keep you safe, warm and comfortable. By Britt Middleton (Photo: LWA/Dann Tardif/Getty Images)

Emergency Grab Bag - Fill a roomy bag with essentials like an extra change of clothes, medications, cellphone charger, batteries and copies of personal documents (passports, birth certificates, etc.). Have it ready in case you have to evacuate your home (check out this complete list of what to pack from the American Red Cross). (Photo: Courtesy of Marc by Marc Jacobs)

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Emergency Grab Bag - Fill a roomy bag with essentials like an extra change of clothes, medications, cellphone charger, batteries and copies of personal documents (passports, birth certificates, etc.). Have it ready in case you have to evacuate your home (check out this complete list of what to pack from the American Red Cross). (Photo: Courtesy of Marc by Marc Jacobs)

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Hot Cocoa - It may seem simple, but a mug of hot cocoa, coffee or herbal tea can soothe the mind and body while you’re stuck indoors for the time being. (Photo: Jessica Key/GettyImages)

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Extra Cold Weather Gear - Be sure to grab extra warm clothing (sweaters, jackets, socks and blankets) for yourself and anyone else in your home and put them somewhere you can access quickly if needed. You don’t want to have to dig for these in the dark if your home loses electricity. (Photo: Hill Street Studios/Sarah Golonk/Getty Images)

Rock Salt - When it’s safe to go outside, have a bag of rock salt ready to melt ice and make hallways and steps less slippery. In a pinch, you can even use kitty litter. (Photo: Courtesy of Lowe's)

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Rock Salt - When it’s safe to go outside, have a bag of rock salt ready to melt ice and make hallways and steps less slippery. In a pinch, you can even use kitty litter. (Photo: Courtesy of Lowe's)

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First Aid Kit - Bandages, antibiotic ointment and aspirin are easy-to-find essentials that you should always keep on hand, particularly during times of severe weather. Click here for tips from the American Red Cross for stocking your own first aid kit. (Photo: Courtesy of Johnson & Johnson)

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First Aid Kit - Bandages, antibiotic ointment and aspirin are easy-to-find essentials that you should always keep on hand, particularly during times of severe weather. Click here for tips from the American Red Cross for stocking your own first aid kit. (Photo: Courtesy of Johnson & Johnson)

Bottled Water - You may already have a few bottles of water in the fridge, but the American Red Cross suggests you keep enough for three days (about one gallon per person, per day) for emergencies. Also keep about three days' worth of easy-to prepare food, such as peanut butter, whole grain crackers and dried fruit (click here for more ideas). (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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Bottled Water - You may already have a few bottles of water in the fridge, but the American Red Cross suggests you keep enough for three days (about one gallon per person, per day) for emergencies. Also keep about three days' worth of easy-to prepare food, such as peanut butter, whole grain crackers and dried fruit (click here for more ideas). (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Baby Wipes - Baby wipes are perfect for cleaning and sanitizing hands, faces and even surfaces when water is limited. Be sure to toss a few travel packs in your emergency grab bag.  (Photo: Courtesy of The Honesty Co.)

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Baby Wipes - Baby wipes are perfect for cleaning and sanitizing hands, faces and even surfaces when water is limited. Be sure to toss a few travel packs in your emergency grab bag.  (Photo: Courtesy of The Honesty Co.)

Scented Candles - Candles are an old standby for when a weather-related blackout strikes. We love the idea of choosing a warm, inviting scent, like this amber version from Diptyque. For safety's sake, however, it’s best to stick with battery-operated lanterns if there will be children or pets staying over with you. (Photo: Courtesy of Diptyque)

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Scented Candles - Candles are an old standby for when a weather-related blackout strikes. We love the idea of choosing a warm, inviting scent, like this amber version from Diptyque. For safety's sake, however, it’s best to stick with battery-operated lanterns if there will be children or pets staying over with you. (Photo: Courtesy of Diptyque)

Board Games - Spare your cellphone battery and dust off one of your family’s favorite board games, which require no electricity and can make for hours of entertainment. No games on hand? Go old-school with a tic-tac-toe tournament or a rousing game of charades. (Photo: Courtesy of Mattel)

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Board Games - Spare your cellphone battery and dust off one of your family’s favorite board games, which require no electricity and can make for hours of entertainment. No games on hand? Go old-school with a tic-tac-toe tournament or a rousing game of charades. (Photo: Courtesy of Mattel)

Can You Repeat That? - In a University of Michigan poll on children's health released Dec. 10, the majority of parents agreed that there should be requirements for children to have regular hearing screenings up until age 17 to combat damage to their ears from listening to iPods and other devices with headphones at high volumes. (Photo: GettyImages)

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Blizzard Playlist - While it’s unlikely that you’ll be hitting up the club anytime soon, a winter-themed playlist with your favorite jams brings the party to you. If Wi-Fi isn’t an option, music streaming sites like Spotify and Bloom.fm are right at your fingertips.  (Photo: Getty Images)