WINTER WEATHER: Residents Urged to Prepare

With the mild winters Virginia has experienced recently, it's easy to forget the dangers that face you and your family during severe winter weather. Ice storms and blizzards can knock down power lines, freeze water pipes, prevent you from traveling and create deadly driving conditions. Now is the time to "Get Ready For Winter" before severe weather arrives.

"If a major winter storm were to hit your area, you might need to stay in your home without utilities for several days," said Michael Cline, state coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. "It's vital that you have the food, water, medicine and emergency supplies that everyone in your home would need during that time. It's also important that everyone knows how to be safe outside and drive safely on the roads during winter weather."

The following tips can help you and your family prepare for the winter months:

Key Supplies to Have at Home

• You should have at least a three-day supply of food that won't spoil and three gallons of water per person, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, extra batteries and a first aid kit.
• If people in your home need prescription or over-the-counter medicines, have an extra supply of those as well.
• Plan for those with special needs that might need to stay in your home without utilities after a storm. Those with special needs could include the elderly, the disabled and the medically frail.

Cold Temperatures

• Pay attention to the wind chill temperature in weather forecasts. As the wind increases, it draws heat from the body, making it feel much colder. For example, if the temperature is zero and the wind is blowing at 15 mph, the wind chill is 19 below zero. At this wind chill temperature, exposed skin can freeze in 30 minutes.
• Wear loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing in several layers. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent and hooded.
• Wear a hat, as half of your body heat is lost through the top of your head. And, mittens that are snug at the wrists are better than gloves.
• Don't stay outside for extended periods in the cold.
• Check on elderly neighbors and relatives. The elderly are especially susceptible to hypothermia – even when inside their homes.

Shoveling Snow

• Shoveling snow is surprisingly hard on your body. Research has shown the energy used to shovel snow is similar to playing singles tennis or speed walking at 5 mph. If there is any reason that shoveling snow might be dangerous for you, such as a heart condition, consult your doctor before picking up a shovel.

Road Safety

• Tell someone at home (a friend, relative or co-worker) you are taking a trip, where you are going, the routes you will travel and when you expect to arrive.
• Before you leave town, fill your gas tank. While traveling, frequently refill the gas tank.
• Don't get on the road without a winter travel survival kit. Your kit should include items such as a cell phone, blankets or sleeping bags, water, high-calorie foods that don't require refrigeration or cooking, a flashlight with extra batteries, and a first aid kit.
• If your vehicle breaks down, pull as far off the road as possible. Your greatest personal danger at this point is being hit by passing cars.
• Stay in the car if visibility is poor. You may become disoriented and lost while wandering in a snowstorm, making it more difficult for rescuers to find you. If you have a cell phone, call for help.

Keeping Warm

• Make sure your walls and attic are properly insulated. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windowsills to keep cold air out. Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside. Protect pipes from freezing by wrapping them in insulation and letting faucets drip a little.
• Fireplace and wood stove chimneys should be inspected annually. Burning wood leaves a flammable residue inside the chimney, which needs to be cleaned by a professional.
• Consider buying emergency heating equipment, such as a wood- or coal-burning stove or a kerosene heater. Having a backup heating source is important if you lose power in your home.
• Kerosene and propane heaters should be kept at least three feet away from any combustible substance like furniture, blankets and rugs. They should be set on an uncarpeted floor and supervised at all times. Never substitute one type of fuel for another.
• Wait for a heater to cool before refueling it. Kerosene can cause a fire if it comes into contact with a hot surface.
• Generators should always be operated outdoors. Do not operate generators in any space that is even partially enclosed like a garage, crawl space or basement. Open windows and fans do not provide enough ventilation to prevent the build-up of carbon monoxide gas.

Crisis Heating Assistance

• The Virginia Department of Social Services is also providing help for those with heating emergencies through its Energy Assistance Program. The Energy Assistance Program is available to help households in heating emergency situations with primary heat security deposits, utility heating bills, repair/replacement of heating equipment, primary heating fuel or emergency shelter. Those wishing to request assistance can see if they qualify for the program by visiting www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/index.html or calling the DSS Information and Referral Line at 800-230-6977.

For more information about winter weather preparedness, including tips for winter travel and assembling a winter travel kit for your car, visit www.vaemergency.com/threats/winter/index.cfm.