Due to the continued severe winter weather, we would like to continue to focus on methods to protect yourself and your family. All preparedness begins with personal preparedness and that is important at any time of year.  Here are a few important considerations in this harsh winter weather.


Be prepared for weather-related emergencies, including power outages.

•Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration and water
        stored in clean containers.
•Keep an up-to-date emergency kit, including:
obattery-operated devices, such as a flashlight, a
                National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
                (NOAA) Weather Radio, and lamps;
oextra batteries;
ofirst-aid kit and extra medicine;
obaby items; and
ocat litter or sand for icy walkways.

Prepare your car for winter.

•Service the radiator and maintain antifreeze level; check tire
        tread or, if necessary, replace tires with all-weather or snow
        tires
•Keep gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
•Use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer.
•Keep a winter emergency kit in your car in case you become
        stranded. Include
oblankets;
ofood and water;
obooster cables, flares, tire pump, and a bag of sand or
                cat litter (for traction);
ocompass and maps;
oflashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries;
ofirst-aid kit; and
oplastic bags (for sanitation).

Learn safety rules to follow in case you become stranded in your car.

oStay with your car unless safety is no more than 100
  yards away, but continue to move arms and legs.
oStay visible by putting bright cloth on the antenna,
                turning on the inside overhead light (when engine is
                running), and raising the hood when snow stops falling.
oRun the engine and heater only 10 minutes every hour.
oKeep a downwind window open.
oMake sure the tailpipe is not blocked.

Check your heating systems.

•Make sure that 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.
•Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels
        available.

Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) emergencies.

oAlways "warm up" your car or truck outside of your
                garage.  Attached garages can leak CO fumes into your
                house, even if you leave the door open
oInstall a CO detector to alert you of the presence of the
                deadly, odorless, colorless gas.
oLearn symptoms of CO poisoning: headaches, nausea,
                and disorientation.
oKeep grills and generators out of the house and garage.
                Position generators at least 25 feet from the house.

-from http://www.cdc.gov/Features/WinterWeather/



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