Tips for staying safe during winter

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has issued information to help people prepare for another New England Winter Season.

What follows is a list of items to be included in your Winter Emergency Car Kit, as well as your family’s Winter Disaster Supply Kit, as well as the development of a Family Emergency Communications Plan.

“Now is the proper time for individuals and families to take the necessary steps to ensure their safety both on the roads and at home during the upcoming Winter Season,” said MEMA Director Don Boyce. “Winter weather can present challenges that can be made easier with some basic preparedness planning.”

Suggested Winter Emergency Car Kit

Keep the following items in your car in case of emergency during a winter storm:

· Flashlight with extra batteries

· Charged cell phone

· Basic first-aid kit

· Necessary medications

· Pocket knife

· Blankets or sleeping bags

· Extra clothes (include rain gear, mittens, socks)

· High-calorie, non-perishable foods (dried fruits, nuts, canned food)

· Non-electric can opener

· Container of water

· Shovel

· Sand for generating traction

· Tire chains or traction mats

· Basic tool kit (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)

· Tow rope

· Road flares

· Brightly colored cloth to utilize as a flag

Ensure that your tires have adequate tread and keep your gas tank at least half-full. Keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal. Check your windshield wiper fluid and keep your gas tank at least half-full. Plan long trips carefully, listening to the radio or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest weather forecasts and road conditions. Travel during the day, and if possible, try to take someone along with you.

“Those who already have an All-Hazard Emergency Preparation Kit, as MEMA continues to suggest, should be in fine shape already,” stated Director Boyce. “Everyone should have some non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights and extra batteries around the house, along with a portable radio or NOAA Weather Radio in case of power outages or other emergencies caused by a winter storm.”

Additional items that should be included on your Winter Weather Supply List are a freshly-stocked first-aid kit, essential prescription medicines, non-perishable foods (those that require no refrigeration such as canned goods, dried fruits and nuts), a non-electric can opener, water (one gallon per-person, per-day), baby-care items, extra blankets, sleeping bags and a fire extinguisher.

Suggested Winter Disaster Supply Kit

Keep these items around the house in case of emergency during a winter storm:

· Flashlight and extra batteries (not candles)

· Portable radio or NOAA Weather Radio with extra batteries

· Charged cell phone

· Basic First-Aid kit

· Essential prescription medicines

· Non-perishable Food

· Non-electric can opener

· Water (one gallon per person/per day)

· Baby items

· Pet food/supplies

· Extra blankets and sleeping bags

· Fire extinguisher

Family Emergency Communication Plan

Develop a Family Emergency Communication Plan in case family members are separated from one another during an emergency (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), and have a plan for getting back together.

· Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the ‘family contact’. After a disaster, it is often easier to call long distance than across town. Also, calling outside the area will be easier than calling into a disaster area.

· Make sure everyone knows the name, address and telephone number of the contact person.

· Sometimes an emergency could impact your neighborhood or small section of town. Decide on an alternate meeting area for family members.

· Be familiar with the Emergency Plans at your children’s school and your place of business.

This should help reassure everyone’s safety and minimize the stress associated with emergencies.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA, go to www.mass.gov/mema.

Original at: http://www.wickedlocal.com/woburn/news/lifestyle/health/x1009160145/Tips-for-staying-safe-during-winter