Stay Ahead of the Storm in Indiana with these Top Recommendations for Homes and Businesses
Given winter’s potentially harsh conditions, it’s vital for both homes and businesses to proactively prepare. Winter weather can bring a host of challenges, from freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall to ice storms and power outages. Making winter preparations in advance can ensure the safety and comfort of your family or employees, protect your property from damage, and avoid costly repairs. Preparation can go a long way in mitigating the risks associated with winter weather, so start your winter preparations today to stay ahead of the storm.
Assemble an Emergency Plan
The first step in winter preparation is to have an emergency plan in place. Both families and businesses should have outlines for what to do and how to communicate in case of severe weather. Consider the following when creating an emergency plan:
For families:
- Emergency Contacts: Compile a list of important contacts, including family members, neighbors, local emergency services, and utility companies.
- Communication Strategy: Designate a primary and secondary method of communication in case of an emergency. Ensure everyone knows how to use these methods, whether it’s texting, calling, or using a communication app. Also, identify an out-of-town contact who can help coordinate if local communication lines are down.
For businesses:
- Crisis Contingency Plan: Outline steps to take before, during, and after a storm. Ensure all employees are aware of their roles and responsibilities. Conduct training sessions to familiarize employees with emergency procedures.
- Remote Work Solutions: Implement remote work solutions such as VPNs, collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom), and cloud-based services to maintain business operations during a storm.
Create a Digital Preparedness Kit
Having the right supplies on hand can make a huge difference during an emergency. Your emergency supply kit should be tailored to your family or business’ specific needs. Not only do you want to keep your family and employees safe, but you also want to protect the valuable electronic devices that keep your home or business running. Consider including the following to keep your electronics safe:
- Surge Protectors: During emergencies such as power outages or storms, power surges are a common risk. To safeguard your electronics, use surge protectors to divert excess voltage and prevent damage.
- Tools and Supplies: A flashlight, extra batteries, a multi-purpose tool, and local maps are essential.
- Portable Batteries: Power banks can help you keep your devices charged during a loss of electricity. Keep portable batteries charged and stored with extra cables.
- Password Management System: Keep passwords secure and organized by using a password manager. Having your passwords stored in one secure location will make it easier to access them, particularly during an emergency situation.
Winter Preparation for Possible Service Interruptions
Winter weather can lead to sudden power outages and Internet disruptions, impacting both business operations and daily life. To stay ahead of the storm, Comcast diligently monitors weather forecasts, activates emergency plans, and ensures our repair crews and supplies are ready for safe deployment. Here’s how you can prepare your homes and businesses for a potential Internet outage:
- Download Important Information: Download essential documents and information to your devices before winter weather strikes. This includes emergency plans and contact lists. Make sure these files are accessible offline.
- Xfinity WiFi Hotspots: Xfinity has millions of WiFi hotspots throughout our service area to make sure you stay connected. These hotspots give you fast, convenient WiFi and are free for Xfinity Mobile customers and eligible Xfinity Internet, Comcast Business Internet and Internet Essentials customers. Just look for the “xfinitywifi” or “XFINITY” SSID and login with your credentials when prompted. To find the nearest hotspot location in your city, please search the WiFi Hotspot Map. Enter your zip code, zoom in on the interactive map to view the results, and click on the locations for details.
Xfinity’s Storm-Ready WiFi allows customers to stay online during power and network outages with up to four hours of Battery Backup. Storm-Ready WiFi stays up and running even when the power is down. The device automatically switches to a backup 4G LTE cellular network to keep your home online, and even on bright, sunny days, it extends your WiFi network by reducing dead spots.
For businesses, Comcast Business’ Connection Pro can be a connectivity lifeline for SMBs for short and long power outages. Connection Pro’s cellular router instantly switches over to an available wireless connection when the primary connection is disrupted, helping to keep businesses running and secure during a storm or other unexpected outages for up to 16 hours. When not providing backup power and Internet, Connection Pro acts as a WiFi booster as its external antenna provides a strong signal coverage helping to amplify connectivity.
Stay Informed
As the weather is unpredictable, staying informed is very important. Monitor local news, weather reports, and official alerts from authorities. Here are some other ways you can stay up to date:
- Emergency Apps: Many government agencies and organizations offer apps that provide real-time updates on weather, traffic, and emergency situations. The Red Cross has an app that alerts users to nearby disasters and offers advice on what to do.
- Xfinity App: Get updates on outages, report service interruptions, view a map of all available Xfinity WiFi hotspots, and securely auto-connect to them.
- Comcast Business App: For business customers, the Comcast Business app will help you stay up to date on your service status. You can also use the app to forward calls to your home or mobile phone if your office needs to close for inclement weather.
- Social Media: Follow local emergency management agencies on social media platforms. These organizations often post updates during a crisis. For local updates on your Xfinity service, follow us on X at @ComcastIN and on Facebook at @Comcast.
From creating emergency plans and staying informed about weather conditions, these measures can make a significant difference. Remember, preparation is key to navigating the challenges of winter weather with confidence and peace of mind. Stay safe and warm this winter season!
