“GOVERNOR TIM KAINE DECLARES WINTER PREPARDNESS WEEK (NOV 29- DEC 5)’
Virginia is vulnerable to severe winter weather, which can lead to injury and death from hypothermia, heart attack, stroke and traffic crashes. This winter, families also are vulnerable to novel H1N1 flu. The week of November 29th through December 5th has been declared by Governor Kaine as Winter Preparedness Week.
One heavy snow or ice storm will remind us that being prepared ahead of time makes a lot of sense. Remember the great Blizzard of ’93 and 30+ inches of snow or the two big ice storms back to back in about ’96?
Simple steps to getting winter ready include setting aside emergency supplies, making a family emergency plan and staying informed about local conditions.
· Get a kit. Emergency supplies for winter weather include—at a minimum—these basic items: 3 days’ food and water; a battery powered radio with extra batteries; and a family emergency plan. After getting these supplies add a first aid kit, medications if needed, blankets and warm clothing, supplies for special members of your family, and pet items.
· Make a plan. Choose an out of town relative or friend to be your family’s point of contact for emergency communications. Decide on a meeting place if your family cannot return home because of closed roads. Discuss with your family what you would do in case of severe winter weather in your area. Write down your plan. Get a sample plan from www.ReadyVirginia.gov.
· Stay informed. Before, during and after a winter storm, you should listen for up-to-date information from your local media and emergency officials. Local media will give instructions from local, state and federal agencies that cover road conditions, winter weather watches and warnings, power outages and health information. Make sure your battery powered radio is working and you have extra batteries in case the electricity goes out.
Some additional winter safety tips include:
· Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from combustibles. Never leave space heaters unattended.
· Install a smoke detector in every bedroom and one on every level of your home. Check the batteries monthly and replace them once a year.
· Make sure outdoor pets have adequate shelter, unfrozen water and food.
· Driving is most dangerous when the temperature is at or under 32F. if the road is wet, patches of ice are possible, especially on bridges and curves. Avoid using cruise control in winter weather conditions. Call 511 or go to www.511Virginia.orgfor 24 hour road conditions
· If your household includes someone with special needs (has a disability, requires electricity to power 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
Find more winter-specific safety information and related links at www.readyVirginia.gov. for information about H1N1 flu go to www.vdh.virginia.govor call toll-free 1-877-ASK-VDH3. You can also call Pulaski County Emergency Management Coordinator Bobby Clark at 540-980-7716 or Pulaski Fire Marshal Chip Hutchinson at 540-994-8664.