Safety Preparations for Winter

Hi, I am Patsieann Misiti with the Alexandria Fire Department in Alexandria, Virginia. We have been talking about holiday safety and winter preparedness. Now, let's cover some tips for getting prepared for winter.

There are simple steps to becoming winter ready and they include emergency supplies, making communications plan and staying informed about the local weather conditions.

First, gathers supplies for winter weather. For example, things that you may need to survive at least three days. A battery powered radio and extra batteries, food and water about three gallons per person per day, flashlights, a first aid kit, blankets, medications, pet supplies, hearing aid batteries anything that you may need to survive on your own.

For your communications plan first decide on a meeting place if your family can not return home due to close roads. Next, designate an out of town friend or relative as a point of contact. Sometimes in emergency conditions communications can be overloaded. It could be easier to call a relative or friend in another city or state versus the area where you live and always let someone know before you travel on snow or your icy roads, where you are going and when you expect to arrive.

Some additional winter tips might include plug space heaters directly in the wall sockets and keep them at least three feet from other objects. Never leave them unattended. Make sure to install a smoke detector on every bedroom and in every level of your home. Make sure that outdoor pets have adequate shelter, unfrozen food and water.

Remember that driving is most dangerous when temperatures are at or under 32 degrees Fahrenheit. If roads are wet, ice is likely especially on bridges, ramps and overpasses. Find current road conditions by calling your local department of transportation. In Virginia you can dial 511 for road conditions.

Last, even when roads have been treated with salt and for sand, drivers should reduce their speed and leave a safe driving distance between themselves and other vehicles on the road.

We hope these winter tips have helped you. Remember from the Alexandria Fire Department be fire safe and not a fire statistic.