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Community Corner

Helpful Hints to Stay Safe This Winter

The American Red Cross offers tips on how to keep you and your family safe during dangerous winter weather, especially during times like the recent power outages to the area.

It seems as though every time we turn on the television, there is more snow in the forecast. As soon as we clear off our cars, shovel our sidewalks and salt the steps, it’s time for yet another round of the white stuff.

So far this year, the snow in the greater Marple Newtown Patch area has been more of a hassle for commuters, residents and businesses than anything else. That said, we have more winter to go, which likely means there’s more snow, sleet and dangerously low temperatures to come. With a little planning, you can protect yourself and your family from the many hazards of winter weather.

Donna Palmieri, chief operating officer and interim chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) Chapter, stresses the importance of being ready.

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“Nothing will serve you better when it’s very cold out than being prepared,” she says.

SEPA has outlined a winter storm safety checklist to help you be prepared both at home, and on the road.

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Here are some useful tips to keep you prepared at home when a winter storm is on the way, according to redcrossphilly.org.

  • Be aware of the forecast for critical information by watching local news channels, listening to the radio, or logging onto the National Weather Service.
  • Maintain heating equipment and chimneys throughout the year, and have ample alternate heating methods, such as fireplaces or wood or coal-burning stoves.
  • Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevents pipes from freezing.
  • Bring pets inside during winter weather.
  • Keep essential supplies well-stocked during winter weather, including sufficient amounts of water and non-perishable, easy-to-prepare foods, battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, first aid kit, medications, warm clothing and blankets for all household members, baby supplies and pet supplies.

In the event a storm strikes, redcrossphilly.org suggests several ways to ride it out, while keeping you and your family safe.

  • If your home loses power or heat, go to a designated public shelter.
  • Before tackling strenuous tasks in cold temperatures, consider your physical condition, the weather factors and the nature of the task.
  • Protect yourself from hypothermia and frostbite by wearing warm, loose-fitting lightweight clothing in several layers.
  • Help people who require special assistance, such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.
  • Check on your animals and make sure they have access to food and water.

The American Red Cross particularly warns against any home-heating methods that may lead to the potentially deadly carbon monoxide from entering the home. According to redcrossphilly.org, when you lose heat, never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other gasoline, propane or natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside your house. The Web site suggests installing carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide. If the alarm sounds, the American Red Cross says move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors and call for emergency help.

Your home, according to Palmieri, is not the only thing to be concerned about during wintry weather, if you do have to travel.

“You should not only be prepared at home for cold weather, but you should also make sure your car has blankets, a flashlight, and warm clothes in it just in case you get stranded. Hopefully you’ll never need them, but they’ll greatly reduce your chance of injury if you do,” she says.

In addition, redcrossphilly.org suggests winterizing your vehicle and keeping the gas tank full to keep the fuel line from freezing.

For a comprehensive winter storm safety checklist, as well as other disaster preparedness tips, you can visit redcrossphilly.org.

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