The
Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service
remind Virginians that Winter Preparedness Week, Dec. 4-10, is a great
opportunity to make a plan for handling severe winter weather.
Snow and ice storms can cause
lengthy power outages, life-threatening low temperatures and dangerous road conditions.
Injury and death from hypothermia, heart attack, stroke and traffic crashes are
all too common during the winter season.
State officials say all Virginians
need to be sure they are properly prepared for winter weather.
They recommend putting together an emergency supply kit, which includes three
days’ food and water; a battery-powered and/or hand-crank radio with extra
batteries; and a family emergency plan. They also advise Virginians to listen for up-to-date
information from local media and emergency officials. Make sure your
battery-powered radio is working and you have extra batteries in case the
electricity goes out.
VDEM
officials say also advise citizens to keep space heaters at least three feet
from other objects and never leave space heaters unattended. Install a smoke
detector in every bedroom and on each level of your home. Check the batteries
monthly, and replace them once a year at the same time every year. In case of
power outages, use flashlights instead of candles for light. Use
generators only outdoors and only in well ventilated areas. Make sure
outdoor pets have adequate shelter, unfrozen water and food. If your
household includes someone with special needs (has a disability, requires
electricity to operate home medical equipment, needs to go to dialysis, etc.)
call your local emergency manager to let them know where you live and what you
will need during an emergency.
Driving is most dangerous
when the temperature is at or under 32° F. If the road is wet, patches of ice
are possible, especially on bridges and curves. Avoid using cruise control in
winter weather conditions. Keep a safe distance of
at least five seconds behind other vehicles and trucks that are plowing the
road. Don't pass a snowplow or spreader
unless it is absolutely necessary. Treat these as you would emergency response
vehicles. Keep an emergency winter driving
kit in your car.
