Heller
In this article, I’m continuing to offer recommendations for winter weather preparations. Last time I talked about food safety in a power outage, this time here are some other preparations you can make before the big chill hits.
One of the first things to think about is how you will stay warm and comfortable if there is an extensive power outage. Do you have a generator or alternative heating source for your home? Do you have a stockpile of food that doesn’t need to be heated to be consumed? Will you be able to charge your phones if there’s no electricity?
You can start by preparing your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping. Learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Don’t forget to test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors that have battery backups.
Your family members all have specific needs, which may include medication, so be sure to check that they have enough medication on hand to last for several days.
If you are unable to afford your heating costs, weatherization or energy-related home repairs, contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for help.
Here’s some items that would be helpful to have in a winter storm power outage:
Gas-powered generator (set up outdoors) with extra gas in a tank
Battery powered radio
Flashlights
Extra batteries in various sizes
Emergency blankets
Shovels
Ice melt
Water for drinking and water to pour into the toilet to flush
First aid kit
Extra pet food
Food for you that doesn’t require cooking (such as pop-tarts, jerky, crackers, peanut butter, bread, jelly, raisins, dried fruit, Vienna sausages, applesauce, individual puddings, individually wrapped cheese and crackers, canned tuna, chicken etc.)
If you are on city water, turn water faucets to a trickle for preventing freezing of water lines. Well water will only work if the pump is able to run.
If you can’t care for yourself or family, your best option during a severe storm may be a shelter. The Red Cross opens shelters in extreme weather events where you will be housed and fed. In Brown County that could be the YMCA, High School or Parkview Church of the Nazarene. To find local shelters, you can text SHELTER and a Zip Code to 43362.
Walkie talkies would be a good item to have on hand to keep track of family members for short distances.
There is a FEMA app you can load to your cell phones that will give you up-to-date weather information and text messages, shelter locations and preparedness advice among other things. You can also text PREPARE to 43362 for tips on preparedness.
Don’t drive on roads if possible. If you become trapped in your car, stay inside the vehicle. Keep an emergency kit in your car with snacks, blankets, water and a shovel. Keep your cell phone with you and a charger.
Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, then wear layers of warm clothing. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Two of these signs could be extensive shivering or confusion. If you feel you are getting really cold, get inside quickly.
Reduce the risk of a heart attack by avoiding overexertion when shoveling snow and when walking in the snow.
Check Ready.gov for more tips and advice.
Winter storms can be very dangerous to the elderly, so if you have older neighbors, check on them. Falls on ice are common and can lead to broken bones or worse. Be extra careful at these challenging winter storm times and plan ahead to make getting through the storm a little easier!
Jennifer Heller is the environmental health specialist for the Brown County Health Department. She is responsible for restaurant inspections, septic installation inspections, vector issues, farmer’s markets and home base vendor questions and complaints. She also chairs the Terrorism and All Hazards Preparedness Committee for the Indiana Environmental Health Association and will be the president-elect of that organization in 2022. She can be reached by at [email protected].
