COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- With highs in the 50s Wednesday, it's hard to believe that by the weekend temperatures are expected to drop below zero.

"A day like today could turn into a blizzard tomorrow in Colorado and Colorado Springs," Bret Waters, Emergency Management Director for the City of Colorado Springs, said.

Experts said it's time for citizens to make sure they are ready for those cold temperatures.

"It's always a good time to look at your 72 hour kit at home," Waters said. "Often times you might be finding that you'll be having a utility outage or something like that in severe cold, so it's a good time to evaluate 72 hour kits. Can you be self sustaining for two or three days? You know how is your food supply, and those sorts of things."

Waters said 72 hour kits should contain nonperishable food, usually a gallon per person per day, water and any necessary medications. He also recommends a similar kit for the car.

"You could be stranded in your vehicle at certain times if you're traveling or something like that and it's good to have a car kit," Waters said. "Similar things in there, non perishable food and water, but a shovel to dig yourself out, something to identify yourself."

Heating experts said finding out at the last minute the furnace doesn't work isn't a good thing and suggest regular maintenance checks.

"Its a mechanical piece of equipment," Eric Kaiser, Director of Operations at Wright Total Indoor Comfort, said. "It might fail just 'cause, you don't know that but if you have a good maintenance program it's like changing the oil in your car, when you go out and start it you know it's gonna be there."

Kaiser said now is also a good time to take a close look at the air filter.

"Just really check and make sure your air filter is clean," Kaiser said. "I can't tell you how many trouble calls that we have, when we get out there and it's just that a dirty air filter has been so bad that it's actually caused the system to fail and that's unnecessary money. You don't need to spend that money on a trouble call just 'cause you have a dirty filter, so just check that."

Experts said it's best to have the furnace checked on a yearly basis, but if it's been awhile, having it done before winter arrives is the best way to go.

"We really start getting busy doing furnaces in August, that's usually when we start," Kaiser said. "We've done them every day since then and we're going to continue to do them."

Kaiser also recommends leaving faucets that are attached to outside walls running to keep your pipes from freezing.

"Just let that water drip a little, you know, not all the way on but just a little bit and it helps, that definitely helps," Kaiser said.

Experts also add that when faced with an emergency, be sure to get help quickly.

"Most reputable companies have 24/7 service," Kaiser said. "We do, obviously we do, and if you need it that's why we're here. You know we come in the morning, we turn the lights on to serve our community and that's what we do, thats what we're here for."

Other cold weather tips: 

-Don't use your oven to heat your home.
-Beware of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Experts said if you start to feel dizzy or have a headache, you should leave your house and call someone to come do a carbon monoxide test.
-Check thermostat batteries. If you don't know how to change your batteries, call a reputable company.
-Make sure your hose is disconnected from the outside faucet.
-Check weather watches and warnings. Consider purchasing a weather radio that brings you up-to-date information.
-If you're going to be outside for a long period of time, exercise common sense and dress properly.
-When hiking or traveling, be sure to go in pairs.