Winter Emergency Preparedness Tips

Winter weather brings rain and snow, which are wonderful. But these weather conditions also bring hazards that we need to be prepared for. The Orange County Review in Virginia has a great article discussing certain tips for staying safe in winter weather.  Among the key tips:

• Do not operate generators inside homes or any enclosed space; to not use camp stoves and lanterns without ventilation; to never use cook stoves/ovens for heating. Any of these can cause a deadly buildup of carbon monoxide.
• Be prepared with a winter emergency kit.
  
• Have flashlights, a battery-powered and/or hand-crank radio, and extra batteries.
  
• Keep one gallon of water per person per day, and have food that does not require refrigeration.
  
• Have a first aid kit and medications, blankets and other supplies.
  
• Make sure family members, friends, and neighbors (particularly the elderly and sick) are prepared for an extended weather event.
• Bring your pets in from the cold.
• Emergency kits in vehicles should include items such as jumper cables, blankets, first aid kit, water, non-perishable food, cat litter or sand, shovel, flash light and batteries, ice scraper and cell phone charger.
• Motorists should keep alert and exercise caution when driving, as huge snow piles alongside roadways can obscure oncoming traffic and road signs and force pedestrians to walk in roadways. 
  
• If you have to walk, wear bright reflective clothing, walk against traffic to better see oncoming vehicles, do not walk distracted with texting or ear buds and be sure to dress for the temperatures to avoid frostbite.