Winter Storms
Cold Weather Precautions
Winter storms can be extremely dangerous. They are deceptively so because most of the deaths they cause are indirectly related to the storm. People die in traffic accidents on icy roads; they have heart attacks from exertions such as shoveling snow; or they succumb to fires or carbon monoxide that result from improper heating of the home.
The Triangle averages between 6 to 8 inches of snow annually. Our snowiest winters on record according to the National Weather Services are:
Climatological data shows that most North Carolina snows occur between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. This is a concern because most winter storm deaths are the result of automobile accidents. About 75 percent of all winter related deaths occur in automobiles when cars slide on slippery roads. With this in mind, you should make every effort to travel only if absolutely necessary when it sleets or snows and roadways become dangerous. Staying off the roads during snow and ice also allows City and State crews time to clear and treat road surfaces.
Be Prepared
The safest tact is to prepare for winter storms before they hit. The National Weather Service issues winter storm watches and warnings when a quarter inch or more of freezing rain is forecast. Winter storm watches and warnings also are issued when a half inch or more of sleet is expected. Winter weather advisories are issued when light accumulations of freezing rain or sleet less than a quarter of an inch are expected to create travel problems and hazardous conditions.
When snow is forecast, make sure that you have enough food and medicine at home to last several days. Also, make sure that there is enough fuel for alternative heat sources such as fireplaces (wood or gas) and heaters. It also is helpful to have a full tank of gas in your car.
Severe winter storms can create dangerously isolated conditions. Prolonged lost of electrical power and telephone service can limit your ability to heat your home and call for help. In such a situation, having the appropriate supplies can be a life saver. The following are some helpful hints to make your home a safe winter-weather haven:
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DO – Stock a three-to-five-day emergency supply of food and water prior to the onset of a winter storm. Include food that requires no cooking such as canned meats, peanut butter and other non perishables. Be sure to have a manual can opener on hand;
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DO – Make sure you have three to five days supply of any necessary medicines;
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DO – Keep an adequate supply of heating fuel (firewood, kerosene, etc) at home. Use your fuel sparingly as supplies may be in short order or unattainable due to hazardous conditions;
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DO – Keep a flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries and a first aid kit on hand;
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DO – Protect water pipes from freezing by wrapping them with insulation or newspaper covered with plastic. In severely cold weather, leave faucets dripping slightly to avoid freezing. If your pipes do freeze, remove the insulation and wrap the pipes in rags. Open every faucet in the house and pour hot water over the rage-wrapped pipes. Also, be sure you know how to shut-off the water supply from your home should water lines break;
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DO NOT – Heat your home using a charcoal grill, gas grill or camp stove. Grills and camp stoves create deadly carbon monoxide fumes that will build up and create a lethal environment in your home. Always use grills out of doors; and,
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DO – Make sure that every family member knows how to evacuate the house in the event of a fire. Make sure you and your family members designate an outdoor meeting place.
Colder temperatures mean a spike in the number of house fires. Someone in the United States dies in a house fire every 2 ½ hours.
Chimney fires are the leading cause of home-heating fires. Typically they are caused by poorly maintained chimneys where creosote has accumulated.
Space heaters are involved in 25 percent of home-heating fires but account for 74 percent of the deaths. These involve every type of space-heating equipment – electric heaters, kerosene heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces and gas heaters. Common causes of space-heating home fires include placing space heaters too close to combustibles and fueling errors involving liquid or gasfueled heating equipment.
The American Red Cross recommends following these steps to minimize the chances and effects of fire:
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Be careful with candles. Power outages, along with colder weather, greatly increase the use of candles in the home. Keep candles away from combustible materials. Never leave children unattended in a room with lit candles. Keep candles, matches and lighters out of the reach of children;
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Inspect fireplaces and wood stoves. Have your chimney connection and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned if necessary prior to the start of every heating season;
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Use a sturdy screen or door in front of your fireplace;
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Burn only wood, never paper, including discarded gift wrap or pine boughs;
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Check smoke detectors;
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Be aware of over-use of electrical outlets. Do not overload electrical outlets and be careful of extension cords that present hazardous walkways; and,
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Have one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. The City of Raleigh Fire Department will provide training on how to use fire extinguishers. Call 996-6392 for more information.
Driving in winter weather
Winter driving can be hazardous. Seventy-five percent of all winter-related deaths occur on the road, either in accidents or from motorists becoming stranded.
The best rule always is: stay at home if at all possible when the weather is icy or snowy and road conditions are poor. The following are tips for a safer journey for if you must venture out:
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Maintain your car in good operating condition. Make sure that your battery, antifreeze, windshield wipers, ignition and thermostat are in good working order. Be sure your tires have sufficient tread;
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Before setting out, tell someone of your destination and when you plan to arrive;
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Clean snow and ice off all parts of your car before driving;
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Keep your gas tank as full as possible. This will not only give you added safety, it also will increase the weight of your car and provide additional traction;
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Keep the following basic items in your car – windshield scraper and brush,
booster/jumper cable, a tow chain or rope, a bag of sand or salt, a blanket, a flashlight, a first aid kit and a road map of the area.
For More Information Contact:
David Blount
Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Department
222 West Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-996-3004
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