Winter is Here — Are You Prepared?
I don’t care whatI don’t care what the calendar says — it’s winter. Here in Detroit, we’ve already had several inches of snow and bitter cold; meanwhile, Buffalo, New York, is still digging out from a storm that dumped an astounding 7 feet of snow on the area last week. Can you even imagine getting that much snow at once?
Last year, I wrote a blog post about how to drive in winter weather. But, really, I should’ve first written about how to keep yourself (and your loved ones) safe during winter storms and extreme cold.
Staying Safe in Winter Weather
The following list of winter weather tips is aggregated from the American Red Cross, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), the National Safety Council, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and ready.gov:
•Put together a winter emergency kit with things like blankets, sand, rock salt, shovels, adequate clothing, flashlight, food, water, matches, batteries, and additional heating fuel. (Click on the organizations above for more thorough lists of the supplies you will need.)
•Put together an emergency kit for your car (example here).
•Make a Family Communication Plan so you know how you will get to a safe place, how you will contact one another, how you will get back together, and what you will do in different situations.
•Minimize travel (and bring your emergency kit if you must go somewhere).
•Sign up for emergency weather alerts on your phone or mobile device; use a NOAA Weather Radio.
•Bring your pets inside.
•Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration.
•Stock baby supplies and pet food.
•Stock necessary medications and ensure you have at least a 7-day supply.
•Ensure that your cell phone is fully charged.
•Install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows.
•Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls.
•Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.
•Make sure your heating system is clean, working properly, and ventilated to the outside.
•Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.
•Install a smoke detector. Test batteries monthly.
•Stay indoors during the storm.
•Work carefully on snow- and ice-covered walkways.
•Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow.
•Keep dry when working outdoors.
•Know the signs of frostbite and how to avoid it.
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that unintentionally kills more than 500 people in America each year, according to the CDC. Here are a few ways you can prevent CO poisoning, courtesy of www.fema.gov:
•Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace, or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows, and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
•The primary hazards to avoid when using alternate sources for electricity, heating, or cooking are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock, and fire.
•Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.
•If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.
•Call for help from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to assist you.
For more information on winter preparedness, visit http://www.ready.gov/winter-weather. the calendar says — it’s winter. Here in Detroit, we’ve already had several inches of snow and bitter cold; meanwhile, Buffalo, New York, is still digging out from a storm that dumped an astounding 7 feet of snow on the area last week. Can you even imagine getting that much snow at once?
Last year, I wrote a blog post about how to drive in winter weather. But, really, I should’ve first written about how to keep yourself (and your loved ones) safe during winter storms and extreme cold.
Staying Safe in Winter Weather
The following list of winter weather tips is aggregated from the American Red Cross, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), the National Safety Council, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and ready.gov:
•Put together a winter emergency kit with things like blankets, sand, rock salt, shovels, adequate clothing, flashlight, food, water, matches, batteries, and additional heating fuel. (Click on the organizations above for more thorough lists of the supplies you will need.)
•Put together an emergency kit for your car (example here).
•Make a Family Communication Plan so you know how you will get to a safe place, how you will contact one another, how you will get back together, and what you will do in different situations.
•Minimize travel (and bring your emergency kit if you must go somewhere).
•Sign up for emergency weather alerts on your phone or mobile device; use a NOAA Weather Radio.
•Bring your pets inside.
•Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration.
•Stock baby supplies and pet food.
•Stock necessary medications and ensure you have at least a 7-day supply.
•Ensure that your cell phone is fully charged.
•Install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows.
•Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls.
•Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.
•Make sure your heating system is clean, working properly, and ventilated to the outside.
•Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.
•Install a smoke detector. Test batteries monthly.
•Stay indoors during the storm.
•Work carefully on snow- and ice-covered walkways.
•Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow.
•Keep dry when working outdoors.
•Know the signs of frostbite and how to avoid it.
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that unintentionally kills more than 500 people in America each year, according to the CDC. Here are a few ways you can prevent CO poisoning, courtesy of www.fema.gov:
•Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace, or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows, and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
•The primary hazards to avoid when using alternate sources for electricity, heating, or cooking are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock, and fire.
•Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.
•If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.
•Call for help from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to assist you.
For more information on winter preparedness, visit http://www.ready.gov/winter-weather.
