PRINCETON, W.Va. -January is one of the coldest months of the year in the two Virginias and before a winter storm hits you want to be ready.
When preparing your car, you want to check and make sure your wipers are properly working and that you’re not out of anti-freeze fluid.
Tire pressure and the actual quality of your tires are very important as well, but that is not all. Mercer County’s Emergency Management Director says there’s still more to do.
“Above and beyond just vehicle maintenance, we always suggest people keep an emergency kit in their vehicle, both one for the summer and then as winter approaches, you can change some stuff in that kit, obviously to be more appropriate for winter,” said Keith Gunnoe, Director for Mercer County’s Emergency Management.
In the emergency kit, Gunnoe says you should pack supplies to help you gain traction in snowy conditions whether its kitty litter, salt or ice melt.
As well as items for traction, blankets, clothes, snacks and especially a shovel are all very important as well.
“Some folks say, ‘well, I don’t need a shovel.’ Well, if you end up out here on the side of the road, and you’re stuck somewhere in a deep snow, and you don’t have cell phone signal, you’re stuck there, you need to keep the snow from building up around the exhaust pipe of the vehicle. So, it doesn’t back carbon monoxide up in the vehicle,” continued Gunnoe.
If you must travel, go at a slow and cautious pace in winter conditions.
“We always suggest, if you have to be out, obviously for your job, just be careful. Use common sense. Make sure your vehicle’s prepped and ready. Make sure you have the emergency kit, and your cell phone is charged up,” said Gunnoe.
If you do decide to stay home and off the roads, power outages are still a concern. Gunnoe says you should have a game plan for heating.
When using space heaters make sure to provide a three-foot clearance. Make sure the chimneys are clear, and generators need to plug up properly with a heavy extension cord, away from any air intakes, and a safe distance from the house.
“ The location of the generator is important. They don’t need to have that generator in the basement or underneath a porch or any anywhere close enough to the house that it can pull that exhaust fumes back into the home because then they’re creating a carbon monoxide issue,” continued Gunnoe.
Due to the increase in house fires this time of year Gunnoe stresses the importance of working smoke detectors and carbon dioxide monitors in your homes.
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