WINTER WEATHER AWARENESS

 WHAT WOULD YOU NEED TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT FOR A FEW DAYS WITHOUT POWER AND HEAT?

Because Johnson County residents do a considerable amount of traveling in their everyday activities, there are tips below for vehicle travel and also tips for coping with the situation at home when electricity, heat, and  forms of cooking are no longer functioning.

Every Home Should Have a Severe Weather Safety Kit:   Battery operated radio , flashlight, matches, extra batteries and a set of house and car keys.  Stock ample wood for your fireplace or wood stove and plenty of non-perishable foods that can be eaten without heat.  Keep bottled water and juices on hand in case your power and water supplies are interrupted. 

NOAA National Weather Service Radio provides continuous broadcasts of the latest weather information directly from the National Weather Service office. 

Other items to consider including in the kit are prescription medicine and non-perishable infant formula, especially if there is a chance that roads will be impassable.

Remove dead tree branches.  Ice and snow, combined with winter winds, can cause limbs to snap.  Not only is this a hazard to your roof and car, but it can injure a passerby.

Clean gutters.  Clean your chimney.

 Make sure auxiliary heaters, fireplaces, and furnaces are adequately maintained and serviced.  Do not store kerosene in a non-approved container or in your home.  Do not use a generator indoors.

Make sure your pipes are protected from extreme cold.  If you plan on an extended stay away from home, drain the pipes.

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES CHECKLIST

Stocking up now on emergency supplies can add to your safety and comfort during and after an extreme winter weather event.

       SURVIVAL ESSENTIALS:   Water - 1 gallon per person per day for a least 3 days.  First Aid Kit-freshly stocked and  first aid book.  Food-nonperishable food such as granola bars, dried fruit, canned food, beef jerky, baby food, special diets, etc.  Blankets, sleeping bags, and tent.  Baby Supplies - formula, bottles, pacifiers, diapers, wipes, food and juices.  Shoes-sturdy and heavy Gloves.  Portable Radio and Flashlights with extra batteries.  Essential Medications, list of medications including dosage and list of allergies.  Extra Eyeglasses and Hearing Aid batteries.  Fire Extinguisher-ABC type.  Can Opener-non electric. Pet Supplies- food,water, restraint, leash or carrier. 

     SANITATION SUPPLIES:    Plastic Trash Bags for wastes and protection.   Soap-Bar, detergent and shampoo.  Toothpaste and Toothbrushes.  Feminine Hygiene and infant hygiene supplies.  Toilet paper.  Bleach- household.  Newspaper to wrap garbage and waste.

     COOKING SUPPLIES:   Knives, Forks, and Spoons-plastic.  Plates, Napkins and Cups- paper.  Towels-paper.  Aluminum Foil.  Camp Stove for outdoor cooking.  Fuel for cooking- charcoal, camp stove fuel, etc. 

     TOOLS AND SUPPLIES:  Ax, Shovel, and Broom.  Rope- 1/2 inch coil.  Wrench for turning off gas.  Screwdriver, Pliers, and Hammer.  Duct Tape.  Tape -plastic and Sheeting for window sealing and replacement. Toys for children.

 WOOD STOVES AND FIREPLACES

When temperatures inside are kept down, a crackling fire in the fireplace is a cozy and cheery way to keep warm.  But these fires, if not carefully tended, may cause tragedy.  To use them safely:  

  • Be sure the wood stove or fireplace are installed properly.
  • Wood stoves should be of good quality, solid construction, and shoud be UL listed.
  • Have chimney inspected and cleaned, especially if it has not been used for some time.
  • Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.
  • Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening, to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out, unwanted material from going in, and help prevent the possibility of burns to occupants.
  • Be aware of creosote buildup in your chimney.
  • Don't use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in the fireplace. 
  • Never burn charcoal indoors.  Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.
  • Keep flammable materials away from your mantel. 
  • Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace is out.  NEVER close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. 
  • If synthetic logs are used, follow directions on the package.  Never break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than one log at a time.
  • Be sure every level of your home has a working smoke detector, and be sure to check and clean it on a monthly basis.

VEHICLE EMERGENCY KIT

Everyone should be cautious about traveling in extreme winter weather.  Cold, snow  and ice are demanding on cars, drivers and passengers.  Cold affects metal, rubber and other materials in your car.  It can reduce the effectiveness of your vehicle's battery by at least 50 percent.  It can freeze tires and keep them flat on the bottom for at least the first half-mile of travel.  It can thicken your car's lubricants, making the engine work too hard.  Most importantly, extreme winter weather can threaten you life.  Use the following tips to make an emergency kit for your vehicle:

  • An empty three pound metal coffee can or any similar container with a plastic cover to store the following items:
  • Small candles and matches
  • Small, sharp knife and plastic spoons
  • Red bandana, strip of colored tape, cloth.  Tie on antenna of vehicle.
  • Pencil and paper
  • Large plastic garbage bag
  • Saftey pins
  • Whistle
  • Snacks
  • Cell phone adapter to plug into lighter
  • Plastic flashlight and spare batteries.  
  • Small first aid kit

Store safety items in the passenger compartment when severe weather threatens in case the trunk is jammed or frozen shut.  Choose small packages of food that you can eat hot or cold.

Suggested food items:  Raisins in small packets. Jelly Beans.  Peanuts. Chewing gum. Wrapped hard candies. Food bars. Canned soup.

Store bulky and heavy items in an accessible place: 

  • 30-foot cord to use as homin line when you must exit the vehicle
  • Booster cables
  • Basic tools
  • Sand, cat litter or other grit in a plastic milk carton
  • Shovel
  • Tow cables or chain
  • Sleeping bag or blankets
  • Road flares and reflectors
  • Snowmobile suit or heavy coat, stocking hat, boots