Winter Safety Tips: Are You Ready for a Storm?

With snow expected this weekend, law enforcement officials are making sure residents are prepared for a possible storm.

Below are some winter safety tips, courtesy of the Blaine Police Department:

Preparation Tips:

• Have extra blankets on hand.
• Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat and water-resistant boots.
• Assemble a disaster supplies kit containing:
• First Aid Kit and essential medications
• Battery-powered weather radio, flashlight and extra batteries
• Canned food and non-electric can opener
• Bottled water
• Have your car winterized for a snow storm
• Assemble a winter storm supplies kit for your car.

When a winter storm watch is issued:

• Listen to local TV and radio stations for weather updates.
• Be alert to changing weather conditions.
• Avoid unnecessary travel.
• Stay indoors during the storm.
• If you must go outside, dress in several layers of clothing.
• Understand the hazards of wind chill, which combines the cooling effect of wind and cold temperatures on exposed skin. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from a person's body at an accelerated rate, driving down the body temperature.
• Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks.
• After the storm, if you shovel snow, be careful. It is physically strenuous work, so take frequent breaks. Avoid overexertion.

Avoid traveling by car in a storm, but if you must:

• Have emergency supplies in the trunk.
• Keep your car's gas tank full in case of an emergency, and to help keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Let someone know your destination, the route you are taking, and when you expect to arrive.

Car Emergency Kits:

• Include blankets.
• Extra sets of dry clothing
• A shovel
• Sand
• Jumper cables
• A First Aid Kit
• A flashlight with extra batteries
• Brightly colored cloth to tie to the antenna

Tweet