Any time of the year southwest communities can be threatened by an event such as a grass fire, train derailment or poor weather conditions.

Now that the southwest has entered a deep freeze, with windchill running in the -30 degree Celsius range, area residents should decide if they are prepared to deal with things like power outages.

Creating a kit that is handy and accessible, even in the dark, can help keep you safe during unplanned outages.

That kit should include at least one gallon of water for each member of your household per day, non-perishable food items, along with a manual can opener, flashlights with extra batteries, a first aid kit, a battery-powered or hand-crank clock and radio, as well as blankets and warm clothing.

If you have medication that needs to be refrigerated, consult with your pharmacist for guidance on proper storage during an extended outage.

Keep the different seasons in mind when planning your kit, and don't forget your pets and what they will need.

Be sure to keep a corded phone in your house. Cordless phones don't work during power outages.

Program 310-2220 into your cellphone. This phone number is toll-free and dedicated to 24-hour outage reporting.

You should plug in sensitive electronic equipment through surge-protector bars.

Winterize your home to retain heat by insulating walls and attics, caulking or weather-stripping doors and windows and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic.

Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected once a year.

And if you use electronic life-sustaining equipment, make sure you have a backup power source.