With winter officially coming Dec. 21, Puget Sound Energy is providing tips on how to survive the often-troubling weather more comfortably.

Being prepared is the first tip. Make sure to have emergency supplies at home and in your vehicle, such as extra batteries, flashlights and non-perishable foods.

Be sure to: Have a battery-powered radio; Charge cell phones, portable batteries and mobile devices in case power goes out; Avoid opening and closing refrigerators and freezers unless necessary. A closed refrigerator will stay cold for up to 12 hours; Turn off lights and unplug all appliances and sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers, to prevent an overload on your circuits when electric service is restored. Leave one light on to let you know when service returns; Download the myPSE app to track and report outages, check status and get estimated restoration times or visit pse.com/outagemap.

PSE’s second tip is to always think of safety first.

That means: Never touch or go within 35 feet of downed power lines because they might be energized. Call PSE at 1-888-225-5773 or 911 to report problems; Do not use a charcoal or gas grill to cook indoors. Never use a natural gas range for heating or charcoal as an indoor heating source. That can cause a buildup of poisonous carbon monoxide gas; If you use a portable home generator, read the manufacturer’s instructions for the safe operation. Do not operate generators indoors or in enclosed spaces to avoid carbon monoxide; Keep portable heaters away from furniture, draperies and other flammable materials; Always use flashlights instead of candles.