Hey, Boston… and all of New England for that matter, in case you haven’t heard, the first substantial snowfall of the winter is approaching and fast. The storm, dubbed Electra by the Weather Channel (because, why not?), is expected to hit the Northeast come Saturday and the Massachusetts legislature wants you — nay, urges you — to heed to these preparations in order to keep yourself safe and sound from the wrath of Mother Nature.

After all, storms like these produce hazards including the likes of “large snow accumulations, extremely cold temperatures, heavy, wet snow or icing on trees and power lines, roof collapses, closed highways, and blocked roads.”

The Greater Boston area is expected to accumulate somewhere in the neighborhood of one to three inches of snow. Spanning from Western Pennsylvania through Upstate New York and into Western Massachusetts, Central Vermont and New Hampshire, and Southwestern Maine upwards of one foot, however, is being estimated.

Residents should use the #MAsnow hashtag for snow storm updates throughout the weekend.

So to help temper the sting of winter harshness, here are 12 steps to preparing for this weekend’s snowfall courtesy of #MassGov. Mayor Tom Menino’s doing it, so you should, too.

  1. Take steps to winterize your home. This will not only protect against burst pipes or drafty windows, it also helps lower energy consumption and thereby reduces heating bills.
  2. Check your homeowner’s insurance policy to ensure adequate coverage.
  3. Trim dead tree branches and limbs close to your home. Ice, snow and wind can combine to snap limbs that can take down power lines or damage your house.
  4. If a storm is coming that may bring power outages, fully charge cell phones, laptops and any other devices ahead of a power outage.
  5. Beware of the danger posed by heavy snow loads on roofs and know how to remove snow safely from rooftops.
  6. Put together a winter storm emergency supply kit, and make sure everyone in your home knows where it’s located.
  7. Understand the difference between the weather classifications used by reporters:
    1. Winter Storm Watch — Be alert, a storm is likely.
    2. Winter Storm Warning — Take action, the storm is in or is entering the area.
    3. Blizzard Warning — Snow and strong winds will combine to produce blinding snow, near-zero visibility, deep drifts and life-threatening wind chill.
    4. Winter Weather Advisory — Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous.
  8. Have sufficient heating fuel, as regular sources may be cut off.
  9. If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood in case of emergency.
  10. Bring pets inside during winter weather.
  11. If you have to drive, be a bit more cautious behind the wheel, winterize your vehicle and follow these tips for driving in winter weather. It’s also recommended to keep a winter emergency road kit in your vehicle, in case of unexpected emergencies.
  12. Parked vehicles can attract small animals which may crawl under the hood seeking warmth, so bang on your vehicle’s hood to scare them off before starting your engine.
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