With winter in full swing, prepare for storms of ice, snow, and bitter cold.

This year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency released an updated How to Prepare for a Winter Storm Guide. The guide includes a preparedness checklist, tips to stay healthy and warm, and a winter weather check for your car. There are also actions to protect your home and reduce property damage.

Share how to prepare for, stay safe during, and recover from a winter storm on your website or social media account. Download the guide today:

• How to Prepare for a Winter Storm Guide

Visit the Prepareathon ™  website for more winter preparedness resources. 

The holidays offer a great time to develop an emergency communication plan with your family.

Knowing how to stay in touch with them in the event of a storm will give you peace of mind. Check out the Prepareathon ™  Winter Storm page with free tools, tips, and resources to help you prepare.

Planning starts with these three steps:

1. Collect  – Create a paper copy of the contact information for your family. Also, include other important contacts, such as medical facilities, doctors, schools, or service providers.
2. Share  – Make sure everyone carries a copy. If you complete your Family Emergency Communication Plan online at  ready.gov/make-a-plan , you can print it onto a wallet-sized card. You should also post a copy in a central location in your home, such as your refrigerator or family bulletin board.
3. Practice  – Have regular household meetings to review and practice your plan. 

Watch this video  to learn more about preparing for a winter storm. You can also download the Federal Emergency Management Agency's  How to Prepare for a Winter Storm Guide .

Protect your community from wildfire. Apply for a $500 Wildfire Community Preparedness Day  grant through the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, Saturday, May 5, 2018,  encourages communities to work together to address their wildfire risk.

From January 8 through March 2, 2018, NFPA welcomes applications for one of 150 funding awards. Develop a plan now to work with with partners and identify wildfire risks in your community. NFPA's Firewise USA site has resources you can use to understand your risk. To view past projects, visit the 2017 Success Stories .

For more information on wildfire preparedness, visit the U.S. Fire Administration's Wildfire page .