Prepare before winter storms and extreme cold

By U.S. ArmyFebruary 11, 2014

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1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – One of the primary concerns with winter weather is the ability to knock out heat, power and communications services to your home or office, sometimes for days at a time. Light or heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region as happ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
usa image
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – One of the primary concerns with winter weather is the ability to knock out heat, power and communications services to your home or office, sometimes for days at a time. Light or heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region as happ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

One of the primary concerns with winter weather is the ability to knock out heat, power and communications services to your home or office, sometimes for days at a time. Light or heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region as happened recently in the metro areas of Birmingham and Atlanta. To prepare for a winter storm before it strikes you should do the following:

Before winter approaches, add the following supplies to your emergency kit both for your home and your vehicle:

• Rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways. Visit the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/formulat/formpart.htm under the category "Deicers" for a complete list of recommended products

• Sand to improve traction

• Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.

• Sufficient heating fuel. You may become isolated in your home and regular fuel sources may be cut off. Store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.

• Adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm

Make a Family Communications Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together an what you will do in case of an emergency.

Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or other local news channels for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS). Be alert to changing weather conditions.

Minimize travel. If travel is necessary, don?'t forget your winter emergency kit for your vehicle.

Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water.

Program In Case of Emergency or "ICE" contacts into your cell phone, so emergency personnel can contact those people for you if you are unable to use your phone. Let your IICCEE contacts know that they are programmed into your phone and inform them of any medical issues or other special needs you may have.

If you have a traditional landline (non-broadband or VOIP) phone, keep at least one non-cordless receiver in your home; it will work even if you lose power.

While these are only a few examples of how you can prepare before a winter storm, visit ready.gov/winter-weather or contact the G-1, Safety and Occupational Health Division to get more information and tips.