Are you prepared for winter weather?
Many people prefer to remain indoors during winter, but staying inside is no guarantee of safety. Take these winter precautions to make dealing with winter weather easier.
Prepare your home.
- Install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows.
- Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls.
- Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.
- Check your heating systems.
- Have your heating system serviced professionally to make sure that it is clean, working properly, and ventilated to the
outside. - Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.
- Install a smoke detector. Test batteries monthly and replace them twice a year.
- Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available.
- Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) emergencies.
- Install a CO detector to alert you of the presence of the deadly, odorless, colorless gas. Check batteries when you change your clocks in the fall and spring.
- Learn symptoms of CO poisoning:
headache , dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
Prepare your car.
- 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.
- Prepare a winter emergency kit to keep in your car in case you become stranded. The kit should include:
- cell phone, portable charger, and extra batteries
- blankets
- food and water
- booster cables, flares, tire pump, and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction)
- compass and maps
- flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries
- first-aid kit
- plastic bags
Stock up on emergency items.
- Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration and water stored in clean containers.
- Ensure that your cell phone is fully charged.
- When planning travel, be aware of current and forecast weather conditions.
- Keep an up-to-date emergency kit, including:
- Battery-operated devices, such as a flashlight, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, and lamps
- extra batteries
- first-aid kit and extra medicine
- baby items
- cat litter or sand for icy walkways
- Protect your family from carbon monoxide.
- Keep grills, camp stoves, and generators out of the house, basement, and garage
- Locate generators at least 20 feet from the house
- Leave your home immediately if the CO detector sounds, and call 911
Inspired by:
www.cdc.gov
abc11.com
