Are you ready for winter weather in Rhode Island? Here's our checklist ahead of snow.

Every New Englander worth their salt knows to run to the store to pick up their milk, bread and eggs ahead of a major snowstorm.

They probably have a shovel in the back of their car, too, as well as a pair of decent snow boots and a warm winter coat.

But, what else should you do to prepare for a snowstorm?

With a snowstorm in the forecast this weekend in Rhode Island that has experts predicting up to a foot of snow in parts of the state, and the potential for another storm soon after, here's a winter weather preparation review.

Preparing for a snowstorm

• Know the difference between a winter storm watch, warning or blizzard warning, and pay attention to which one the National Weather Service is issuing.

• Charge your phone and other devices so you're prepared for a potential outage.

• Sign up for text alerts or app notifications to stay in the loop from entities like Rhode Island Energy (RIE) Alerts (Text Reg to 743688) or The Providence Journal

• Fill a bathtub with water to have a supply on hand.

• If you rely on electricity for life-sustaining equipment, notify RIE on their website.

Stay informed: Download the Providence Journal app ahead of the storm

What should you stock up on before a snowstorm?

Households should keep an emergency kit in their home. Here's what Rhode Island Energy recommends packing it with:

• Flashlights (which are much safer than candles)

• Batteries

• Blankets

• Non-perishable food

• Pet supplies

• Medication

• Water

• First aid kit

• Rock salt or melt for walkways

• A supply of firewood or fuel for heating systems

What to do if there's a power outage during a snowstorm

If the power does go out, here are some of the steps to take to keep warm and safe.

• Report the outage: When the power goes out, it's best to report it. You can report online at RIEnergy.com, by calling 1-855-743-1102, or texting out to 743688.

• Unplug appliances: When the power comes back on it might surge and flicker, creating an uneven power supply that can damage expensive electronics. Don't risk it and unplug them after the power goes out.

• Limit opening and closing doors: You want to keep the cold air out, and the warm air in. The less you open the external doors to your house, the more heat your house will retain. Similarly, limit how much you open your refrigerator and freezer to keep the cold air in and extend the life of the food.

• Block drafts and cover windows: Beyond opening and closing doors, pay attention to the other places in your home where cold air can seep in. Roll up towels and blankets to seal up drafts under windows and doors. Windows can also be a source of lost heat, so unless the sun is streaming in and warming up the house, close the blinds to reduce heat loss.

• Condense your living space: Keeping your whole house warm can be challenging, so if that's not working pick a smaller space, for example, a living room with a fireplace, and close it off from the house the best that you can and focus on keeping that space warm. Even if you don't have an additional heat source, the body heat from gathering in a small, insulated room will help to keep it warmer.

• Dress warm: Dressing in warm layers will help to keep you warm when the rest of your house isn't. Have a warm base later and add from there.

• Use caution: If you're using a generator, make sure it's outside your house and you're using proper safety measures. If you're using a fire, have a fire extinguisher on hand. Don't use your oven to heat your house. Make sure your carbon monoxide detector is working.

How to stay warm in cold weather?: These tips and (tech) tools are a great start.

How to keep your pipes from freezing

Frozen pipes are a nightmare to deal with when the temperature drops, but it can be prevented. Frozen pipes can happen at any temperatures below freezing, depending largely on how insulated the pipes are, so it's always best to be cautious.

Here are some tips from Providence Water on the best way to avoid it.

• Run a trickle of water: Standing water in the pipes, which will expand if it freezes potentially causing the pipes to crack, is the enemy. The best way to prevent that is to run a trickle of water during freezing periods. The cost of running the water is far less than what it will cost to hire someone to repair the pipes.

• Open the cabinet under your sink: To help keep the pipes under your sink and in the walls warm, it helps to open the cabinets allowing more heat from the rest of the house to get in there than if the doors were closed.

• Know how to shut off your water: In the event a pipe does freeze or break, the first course of action should be shutting the water off. Then, you can try thawing it with a hair dryer or space heater. Go slow when turning the water back on, and be prepared to call a plumber.

Frozen pipes: How to keep pipes from freezing in the winter and what to do when your pipes are frozen

How to take care of your pets during a snowstorm

Cold weather, snow and dry air isn't only uncomfortable for people. Many pets don't like it very much either. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, it can cause "chapped paws and itchy, flaking skin" and other discomforts. Here are some tips to make it easier.

• If it's too cold outside for you, it's probably too cold for your pet outside: In very cold weather, pets left outside for extended periods can become disoriented, injured or killed. It's also not a good idea to leave a pet alone in a car, as a car can act as a refrigerator.

• Protect your pet's feet: Road salt and other chemical agents spread to keep the roads from icing over can irritate your pet's feet. To protect them, you can try rubbing petroleum jelly on their feet or, for more coverage, get them some booties. It also can help to bring a towel with you to clean off their feet and stomach.

• Get them a coat: For some dogs with thick fur this may not be as much of a problem, but if your pup has a short coat and you're going outside for more than a few minutes, a coat really will help keep them cold. If they're shivering, they're too cold.

More: Follow tips to keep your pet safe

How to drive during a snowstorm

Everyone thinks that they know how to drive in snow, and that everyone else is the problem. Just in case you are a part of the "everyone else," here are the tips from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and the Rhode Island State Police.

• Clear off the top of your car: It's annoying to do, but you've got to clear off the roof, hood, trunk and license plate of your vehicle. And, all glass surfaces and lights should be clear and transparent, meaning all of the windows, the side-view mirrors, headlights, and tail lights. It's quite literally the law.

• Drive prepared: Have your phone with you and fully charged in case you need to call for help. Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid the gas line freezing. Have an emergency kit in the car with you. See the list below for what it should include.

• Drive like it's a snowstorm: Snowy and icy roads can make maneuvering more difficult. Drive slowly, increase your following distance, brake gently, and have your headlights on to make yourself more visible.

• Don't pass plows and sanding trucks: Yes, the plows go slow but don't pass them. The drivers have limited visibility, and the cleared roads are behind them.

• Check the roads ahead of time: You can get a peek at what the main roads look like in the state before you leave the house via Rhode Island's traffic cameras. A quick check will let you know how bad the conditions are to help you make an informed decision.

• Be cautious on bridges and overpasses: Bridges and overpasses are likely to be the first to freeze, so use extra caution.

• What to do if your vehicle becomes stuck: Stay with your vehicle, and call 911 to report your location and if there are any injuries. Don't try to walk anywhere. If you are unsure if the car's exhaust pipe is blocked, run the engine for 10 minutes an hour.

Take caution: How to drive safely in snow and ice. Hint: Steer into the skid

What should you have in your car ahead of a snowstorm?

If you have to drive in a snowstorm, here's what the National Weather Service recommends you have stashed in your car.

• Cellphone with a charger

• Blankets/sleeping bags

• Flashlight with extra batteries

• First-aid kit

• Knife

• Water and high-calorie, non-perishable food

• Extra clothing to keep dry

• Large empty can to use as emergency toilet, tissues, toilet paper and paper towels

• Small can and waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking water

• Sack of sand or cat litter for traction

• Shovel

• Windshield scraper and brush

• Tool kit

• Tow rope

• Battery booster cables

• Candle and matches to provide light and in an emergency, lifesaving heat.

• Compass and road maps, don't depend on mobile devices with limited battery life

Traveling this winter? Here are 10 emergency products you should always have in your car

Other steps you can take to prepare for a winter storm

For homeowners in particular, household maintenance leading up to the storm can make a big difference in how comfortable it us during a winter snowstorm. While many of these need to be done well ahead of when snow is in the forecast, here are some recommendations from Rhode Island Energy:

• Have your heating systems checked by a professional: Maintaining systems like your furnaces and boilers means that they're less likely to break down during an extreme weather event. Set up an appointment to have them inspected at the start of the season.

• Insulate your home: If your home doesn't have insulation – and many older homes don't – or effective insulation, it's going to get chilly. Insulating walls, attics and windows helps to keep warm air in and cold air out, which in turn will minimize the overall strain on the electrical and gas systems during peak demand. Rhode Island Energy offers free home energy assessments that can tell you about the insulation status in your home and qualify you for programs to help cover the cost of insulation and other energy efficiency measures.

• Purchase a portable generator: A backup energy source is always welcome if the power goes out. Remember to stock up on fuel for it and run it in a well-ventilated space at least 15 feet away from your house and pointing away from windows and doors as the fumes are toxic. Here's a guide to generator safety.

• Keep trees on your property trimmed: Under the weight of snow and ice, it's not uncommon for tree branches to break and take a power line down with them. Prevention is your best bet, by hiring a professional to trim the branches near power lines.

• Wrap pipes with insulation: To help prevent your pipes from getting so cold they can freeze, wrap them in insulation ahead of cold weather. In a pinch, Providence Water says even newspapers or fabric can help.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Snow in RI: How to prepare ahead of winter weather