By: Chris Gilson, cgilson@cbs4qc.com
With the snow can also come powerful winds that could leave you and your family in the dark.
While the weather is quiet right now, it will be a much different story Thursday when the snow starts falling and the wind starts blowing.
It's a combination that could knock out power, so now's the time to get ready. Of course it's always good to make sure you have enough of the basics, like Melissa Watson of Bettendorf.
"Lots of blankets I got lots of blankets too," Melissa Watson said.
Kasey Kelly of the American Red Cross said some people will turn to alternative ways to keep their homes warm.
But, they can be dangerous and even deadly.
"Like bringing in a kerosene stove, or grill, or anything that could be a fire hazard or a carbon monoxide hazard," Kasey Kelly said.
So it's always good to have a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Kelly also said it's important to check your medicine cabinets.
"People often overlook emergency prescriptions because in a disaster situation that's something that you're not necessarily going to have available," she said.
But, if your power stays on, it doesn't mean that some of your family and friends maybe in the dark. So be sure to check on them, especially the elderly.
"If you do have power please reach out to those people who maybe a little more at risk during power outages so make sure you're taking care of those people," Kelly said.
Folks Watson said she'll be checking on no matter what Mother Nature brings.
"The lady upstairs is and older lady so I'm concerned about her she doesn't have a whole lot of family that comes in," Melissa Watson said.
