By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
The Tucker County Office of Emergency Management has released some tips for residents this winter to prepare them for the cold months ahead. OEM Director Kevin White has supplied a few common sense tips to help residents stay safe this winter season.
“Remember in our mountainous terrain Snow Squalls can come rapidly and conditions change in minutes,“White said. “Stay prepared,”
White advises that during winter weather events, that residents and visitors stay indoors and off the roads if at all possible.
“With the Winter The Season Rapidly approaching, we recommend these travel tips,” White said. “During a winter storm, stay indoors and off the roads if possible.”
White went on to say that if travel was unavoidable, to make sure that the automobile was as prepared as possible. Also, make sure the driver and passengers are well prepared and an emergency kit with supplies such as blankets, a flashlight, phone charger, jumper cables, a small bag of driveway salt and a small shovel are included. Make sure to include snacks and water for your travel, as well, White advises.
Should travelers become trapped in their cars, stay put and run the engine for 10 minutes every hour for warmth. Do not leave the car, stay inside. Make sure the exhaust is free of snow.
During winter storms, the OEM office also advises that residents and visitors be prepared for 72 hours of self sustainability, at a minimum. Tucker County 911 and the Office of Emergency Management have released a checklist of advise for residents and visitors on how to be prepared this winter season.
The checklist includes: stay indoors and off the roads if possible; limit time outdoors and wear layers of warm clothing if you must go out; stay dry to prevent exposure to cold and wind and watch for signs of hypothermia.
Also included is such suggestions as checking in on the elderly and every young to make sure they are alright and bringing pets inside to a warm place.
To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, never use a gas stove or oven to heat a home. Only use generators, camp stoves and charcoal grills outdoors, at least 20 feet away from doors, windows and vents.
To protect yourself and your home, the checklist said, seal any drafts, insulate and use thermal curtains. Use blankets to stay warm and close off rooms that are not in use to conserve heat.
Other suggestions on the list include: avoiding overexertion while shoveling snow to prevent heart attacks and unplugging electronics to protect them from electrical surges.
Lastly, the list said to make sure to have a plan for power outages in the case of medical devices and refrigeration.
