Devastating winter storms have slammed many areas of the country in recent days, leaving hundreds of thousands of utility customers without power. If you've been spared damage from this recent bout of nasty weather, count yourself lucky. To make sure you're prepared for the next storm emergency no matter the season, read the reports below:

• Storm & Emergency Guide: One-stop shopping to plan for and get through an emergency, including dealing with important papers and financial matters.

• Generators: Buyer's guide (with ratings), plus usage and maintenance tips, and a wattage calculator.

• Chain saws: Shopping information (with ratings), safety advice, and maintenance steps.

• Space heaters: How to choose and safety tips.

• Pets: Advice for protecting your animals.

Visit the National Weather Service for more information on dealing with winter weather. (The bottom photo is an infrared image of a massive January 1998 storm.)