Winter Safety Tips that Could Save Your Life
A Few Words on Winter Safety and Severe Weather Preparation
Winter safety and emergency preparation probably aren't the first things on your mind, but if you find yourself in an unexpected blizzard, winter storm, or power outage, being prepared could save your life. Even if the storm of the century doesn't hit your home this winter, there are things you need to do to stay safe. These are just a few...
Keep Your Car Stocked
You can't always tell when a blizzard or severe storm is going to hit. The last thing you want is to be driving down an out-of-the-way road in sub-zero weather or a full-blown blizzard, only to have your car die on you and you don't have anything with you to keep you safe and warm.
It's a good idea to keep a winter safety kit in your car at all times. Include blankets, canned heat, food rations and water. Just make sure any water bottles are not full completely or they might explode if they freeze.
Keep Your Pantry Full
If a severe storm hits your area and roads are closed for a few days or more, would you starve? If the answer to that question is yes, then you need to stock some emergency food and water in your pantry as well as some simple winter safety tools like flashlights, canned heat and an emergency weather radio.
While some people insist you should keep 3 to 6 months of emergency rations on hand, not everyone can do that. My suggestion is try for at least 3 days of food and water, if not 2 or 3 weeks.
Be Alert
Of course, knowing when a huge storm, blizzard, or power outage is coming is one of the best ways to make sure you and your family stays safe through it. Use services like the Weather Channel and your local news to stay on top of weather developments. Some weather programming will even include winter safety tips to help you through any inclement weather that may be approaching. Never run generators indoors because this will fill your home with deadly carbon monoxide; a colorless, oderless, and tasteless gas. Also, never use the stove to heat your home because this could cause a fire in addition to producing carbon monoxide gas. If anyone in the home starts to feel sick(nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, headache, etc.) be sure to leave the home and dial 911 immediately. Remember to always change your batteries in your smoke & carbon
monoxide detectors whenever you change the clocks.
The above information was gathered and distributed by the Essex County Sherriffs Department.
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