The National Weather Service has issued a storm warning for up to 10 inches of snow Saturday into Sunday. Here’s a readiness refresher:

At home

• Write down, print or save toll-free outage hotlines for your electric utility and/or your natural gas utility, which are listed on your monthly bills and posted on the PUC website.

• Your utility’s outage reporting system can provide updates on repair and restoration efforts. Bookmark these electric utility outage sites and natural gas company websites.

• A well-charged phone will keep you in contact with your utility, other emergency services and family members during any power outage.

• Keep necessary food, medicine, and other supplies on-hand, including batteries for flashlights.

Power outages

• Call your utility hotline to report outages. Do not assume that the utility already knows about your outage or that others have already called.

• Keep Clear of Wires – Do not touch or approach any fallen lines.

• Stay away from objects or puddles in contact with downed power lines.

• Do not try to remove trees or limbs from power lines.

• Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns for emergency lighting. Avoid using candles or other potential fire hazards.

• Turn off lights and electrical appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer. When power comes back on, it may come back with momentary “surges” or “spikes” that can damage equipment.

• Leave one light on. After you turn the lights off, turn one lamp on so you will know when power is restored. Wait at least 15 minutes after power is restored before turning on other appliances.

• If you use a generator, do not run it inside a home or garage or anywhere close to a window or vent. Also, connect the equipment you want to operate directly to the outlets on the generator, not your home’s electrical system, which could shock or injure utility crews working on nearby power lines.

• Check on elderly neighbors and those with special needs who might need additional assistance.

Shoveling tips

To ensure you stay injury-free as you clear driveways and sidewalks, here are some tips from the Mayo Clinic:

• If you have a history of heart problems and are physically inactive, it’s best to consult with your health care team before starting heavy exercise like shoveling. In addition, don’t shovel while smoking, eating or right after consuming caffeine since this may place extra stress on your heart.

• Wear several layers of clothing. You can remove a layer if needed. Avoid wearing cotton next to your body. If you perspire, it can become damp, and you’ll get chilled. Protect your hands, feet and face since these are common areas for frostbite. Wear a hat that covers your ears and a scarf to protect your lower face. Mittens are generally warmer than gloves.

• Drink water or sports drinks before, during and after your shoveling session, even if you’re not thirsty.

• Before beginning to shovel, stretch your arms, legs, shoulders and back. You’re less likely to injure muscles and joints when they’re warmed up.

• Shovel snow while it’s fresh. Freshly fallen snow is lighter than snow that has started melting or has been moved by a plow.

• Pace yourself and take breaks if you need to. Safety is more important than speed.

• Protect your back. Bend at the knees, not the back when lifting the shovel. Lift with your legs bent, stand with your feet hip-width apart for balance and keep the shovel close to your body. Also, don’t pick up too much snow at once. Consider using a smaller shovel or filling a larger shovel no more than halfway.

• Shoveling snow can place a lot of strain on your shoulders. Lifting and throwing heavy piles of snow or hitting hard ice hidden beneath the snow can result in shoulder damage. Lifting too much snow can aggravate arthritis or further injure a worn rotator cuff.

• If you use a snowblower or plow, be especially cautious around moving parts and sharp edges. Be sure the equipment is turned off before clearing any snow jams. Keep children and pets away while you’re operating machinery.

Before you go

• The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission are advising motorists to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm. Restrictions will be in effect beginning at 2 p.m. today.

• Drivers should prepare or restock their emergency kits with items such as non-perishable food, water, first-aid supplies, warm clothes, a blanket, cellphone charger and a small snow shovel. Motorists should tailor their kits to any specific needs that they or their families have such as baby supplies, extra medication, and pet supplies.

• The law requires drivers to remove accumulated ice or snow from their vehicle, including the hood, trunk, and roof within 24 hours after the storm has ended. This applies to all vehicles, including commercial vehicles. Drivers in violation of the law are subject to a fine of $50. Additionally, motorists can be cited up to $1,500 if snow or ice is dislodged and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious injury.

Plow trucks

When encountering a plow truck, drivers should:

• Stay at least six car lengths behind an operating plow truck and remember that the main plow is wider than the truck.

• Be alert since plow trucks generally travel much more slowly than other traffic.

• When a plow truck is traveling toward you, move as far away from the center of the road as is safely possible, and remember that snow can obscure the actual snow plow width.

• Never try to pass or get between several trucks plowing side by side in a “plow train.” The weight of the snow thrown from the plow can quickly cause smaller vehicles to lose control, creating a hazard for nearby vehicles.

• Never travel next to a plow truck since there are blind spots where the operator can’t see, and they can occasionally be moved sideways when hitting drifts or heavy snowpack.

• Keep your lights on to help the operator better see your vehicle.