FFPD offers winter safety tips

No one can predict exactly what this winter will bring to Falcon in terms of weather, but itís a safe bet that cold temperatures and snow will occur. The Falcon Fire Protection District offers these tips to help residents stay safe during the colder months.General safety tips

• Install fresh batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Make sure heating systems are inspected and serviced.
• Have fireplaces and wood-burning stoves cleaned and inspected.
• Use generators only outside of a building to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, and ensure power cords are appropriate for the electrical load.
• Keep space heaters away from anything that could catch fire such as drapes, furniture or bedding.
• Always use a flashlight, not a candle, for emergency lighting.
• Help firefighters by keeping fire hydrants clear of snow, ice and debris.
• Pay attention to weather conditions by monitoring an NOAA Weather Radio and/or local news channels for critical information on snowstorms and blizzards from the National Weather Service.
• Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with access to non-frozen drinking water and food.
• Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack, which is a major cause of death in the winter.

Understand weather terminology

• Winter weather advisory: A significant winter storm or other hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent, and is an inconvenience.
• Winter storm watch: Significant winter weather (heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain or a combination of these) is expected but not imminent for the watch area. Severe winter weather is possible within 12 to 36 hours.
• Winter storm warning: A significant winter storm or hazardous winter weather is occurring, imminent or likely, and is a threat to life and property.
• Blizzard warning: Winter storms with winds of 35 mph or higher, blowing snow that reduces visibility to a quarter mile or less for at least three hours; causing dangerous wind chills in the warning area.

Winter travel tips

• Have vehicles checked and serviced by qualified mechanics to ensure they are ready for winter travel.
• Keep the gas tank full.
• Avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow or dense fog.
• Notify others of travel schedules, routes and expected arrival times, and check in regularly.
• Stay on main roads and avoid back road shortcuts.
• Drive only during daylight hours, and avoid driving alone if possible.
• Bring blankets to keep warm if the vehicle becomes stranded.
• Bring bottled water and warm beverages to avoid dehydration.
• If forced to stop because of a snowstorm or blizzard, pull off the highway and turn on the vehicleís hazard lights. Hang a distress flag from the radio antenna. Remain in the vehicle.
• If stranded for an extended period of time, keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow and run the engine for about 10 minutes every hour to stay warm. Open a window slightly for ventilation while the car is running, to prevent any carbon monoxide buildup.

Prepare a car emergency kitFEMAís Ready.gov website suggests the following items for car emergency kits:

• Shovel, small broom and windshield scraper
• Flashlight, battery-powered radio and extra batteries
• Water and non-perishable, high energy foods like unsalted canned nuts, dried fruits and hard candy
• Necessary medications
• Extra hats, socks, mittens and blankets
• Matches in a waterproof container
• First aid kit with pocket knife or multi-tool
• Tow chain or rope, booster cables
• Road salt, sand or non-clumping kitty litter
• Emergency flares, fluorescent distress flag and/or brightly colored cloth

Emergency supplies for the homePrepare a cache of emergency supplies in the event of a severe winter storm or extended power outage, to include (but not limited to)

• Firewood
• Water and non-perishable food (at least a three-day supply of each)
• Emergency equipment such as generators, flashlights and battery-powered or hand-crank radios, tested and ready for use
• Extra batteries
• Keep batteries charged for mobile phones, laptop computers, and other mobile devices
• First aid kit
• Medications (seven-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc.)
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Food, water, and supplies for children and pets
• Warm clothing and extra blankets for all household members

More tips and checklists can be found on the following websites, all of which provided information for this article:American Red Cross ñ http://redcross.orgThe Weather Channel ñ http://weather.comReady.gov ñ http://ready.govU.S. Fire Administration ñ http://usfa.fema.govNational Safety Council ñ http://nsc.orgThe members of the Falcon Fire Protection District wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season, and a prosperous new year!