Charlottesville Fire Department. Media Release

Transcription

1 Charlttesville Fire Department A Wrld Class City 203 Ridge Street Charlttesville, Va Public Infrmatin Officer Battalin Chief Richard A. Jnes January 2, 2014 Fr Immediate Release The Charlttesville Fire Department reminds everyne that Winter Strm Preparedness can keep yu and yur lved nes safe this winter seasn. Here are sme tips t keep yu and yur family prepared fr any winter strm: Prepare yur hme and family Prepare fr pssible islatin in yur hme by having sufficient heating fuel; regular fuel surces may be cut ff. Fr example, stre a gd supply f dry, seasned wd fr yur fireplace r wd-burning stve. Winterize yur hme t extend the life f yur fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping drs and windws, and installing strm windws r cvering windws with plastic. Winterize yur huse, barn, shed r any ther structure that may prvide shelter fr yur family, neighbrs, livestck r equipment. Clear rain gutters; repair rf leaks and cut away tree branches that culd fall n a huse r ther structure during a strm. Insulate pipes with insulatin r newspapers and plastic and allw faucets t drip a little during cld weather t avid freezing. Keep fire extinguishers n hand, and make sure everyne in yur huse knws hw t use them. Huse fires pse an additinal risk, as mre peple turn t alternate heating surces withut taking the necessary safety precautins. Learn hw t shut ff water valves (in case a pipe bursts). Knw ahead f time what yu shuld d t help elderly r disabled friends, neighbrs r emplyees. Hire a cntractr t check the structural ability f the rf t sustain unusually heavy weight frm the accumulatin f snw - r water, if drains n flat rfs d nt wrk. Prepare yur car It is the missin f the Charlttesville Fire Department t prtect ur public by prviding superir fire and emergency services fcused n custmer service, educatin, preventin, and preparedness.

2 Charlttesville Fire Department A Wrld Class City 203 Ridge Street Charlttesville, Va Public Infrmatin Officer Battalin Chief Richard A. Jnes Check r have a mechanic check the fllwing items n yur car: Antifreeze levels - ensure they are sufficient t avid freezing. Battery and ignitin system - shuld be in tp cnditin and battery terminals shuld be clean. Brakes - check fr wear and fluid levels. Exhaust system - check fr leaks and crimped pipes and repair r replace as necessary. Carbn mnxide is deadly and usually gives n warning. Fuel and air filters - replace and keep water ut f the system by using additives and maintaining a full tank f gas. Heater and defrster - ensure they wrk prperly. Lights and flashing hazard lights - check fr serviceability. Oil - check fr level and weight. Heavier ils cngeal mre at lw temperatures and d nt lubricate as well. Thermstat - ensure it wrks prperly. Windshield wiper equipment - repair any prblems and maintain prper washer fluid level. Install gd winter tires. Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate fr mst winter cnditins. Hwever, sme jurisdictins require that t drive n their rads, vehicles must be equipped with chains r snw tires with studs. Maintain at least a half tank f gas during the winter seasn. Place a winter emergency kit in each car that includes: a shvel windshield scraper and small brm flashlight battery pwered radi extra batteries water snack fd extra hats, scks and mittens First aid kit with pcket knife Necessary medicatins blanket(s) It is the missin f the Charlttesville Fire Department t prtect ur public by prviding superir fire and emergency services fcused n custmer service, educatin, preventin, and preparedness.

3 Charlttesville Fire Department A Wrld Class City 203 Ridge Street Charlttesville, Va Public Infrmatin Officer Battalin Chief Richard A. Jnes tw chain r rpe rad salt and sand bster cables emergency flares Dress fr the Weather Wear several layers f lse fitting, lightweight; warm clthing rather than ne layer f heavy clthing. The uter garments shuld be tightly wven and water repellent. Wear mittens, which are warmer than glves. Wear a hat. Cver yur muth with a scarf t prtect yur lungs Guidelines Listen t yur radi, televisin, fr weather reprts and emergency infrmatin. Eat regularly and drink ample fluids, but avid caffeine and alchl. Cnserve fuel, if necessary, by keeping yur residence cler than nrmal. Temprarily clse ff heat t sme rms. If the pipes freeze, remve any insulatin r layers f newspapers and wrap pipes in rags. Cmpletely pen all faucets and pur ht water ver the pipes, starting where they were mst expsed t the cld (r where the cld was mst likely t penetrate). Maintain ventilatin when using kersene heaters t avid build-up f txic fumes. Refuel kersene heaters utside and keep them at least three feet frm flammable bjects. If yu are utdrs It is the missin f the Charlttesville Fire Department t prtect ur public by prviding superir fire and emergency services fcused n custmer service, educatin, preventin, and preparedness.

4 Charlttesville Fire Department A Wrld Class City 203 Ridge Street Charlttesville, Va Public Infrmatin Officer Battalin Chief Richard A. Jnes Avid verexertin when shveling snw. Overexertin can bring n a heart attack a majr cause f death in the winter. If yu must shvel snw, stretch befre ging utside. Cver yur muth. Prtect yur lungs frm extremely cld air by cvering yur muth when utdrs. Try nt t speak unless abslutely necessary. Keep dry. Change wet clthing frequently t prevent a lss f bdy heat. Wet clthing lses all f its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly. Watch fr signs f frstbite. These include lss f feeling and white r pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, tes, ear lbes, and the tip f the nse. If symptms are detected, get medical help immediately. Watch fr signs f hypthermia. These include uncntrllable shivering, memry lss, disrientatin, incherence, slurred speech, drwsiness, and apparent exhaustin. If symptms f hypthermia are detected: get the victim t a warm lcatin remve wet clthing put the persn in dry clthing and wrap their entire bdy in a blanket warm the center f the bdy first give warm, nn-alchlic r nn-caffeinated beverages if the victim is cnscius get medical help as sn as pssible. If yu are driving Drive nly if it is abslutely necessary. If yu must drive, cnsider the fllwing: Travel in the day, dn t travel alne, and keep thers infrmed f yur schedule. It is the missin f the Charlttesville Fire Department t prtect ur public by prviding superir fire and emergency services fcused n custmer service, educatin, preventin, and preparedness.

5 Charlttesville Fire Department A Wrld Class City 203 Ridge Street Charlttesville, Va Public Infrmatin Officer Battalin Chief Richard A. Jnes Stay n main rads; avid back rad shrtcuts. If a blizzard traps yu in the car: Pull ff the highway. Turn n hazard lights and hang a distress flag frm the radi antenna r windw. Remain in yur vehicle where rescuers are mst likely t find yu. D nt set ut n ft unless yu can see a building clse by where yu knw yu can take shelter. Be careful; distances are distrted by blwing snw. A building may seem clse, but be t far t walk t in deep snw. Run the engine and heater abut 10 minutes each hur t keep warm. When the engine is running, pen a dwnwind windw slightly fr ventilatin and peridically clear snw frm the exhaust pipe. This will prtect yu frm pssible carbn mnxide pisning. Exercise t maintain bdy heat, but avid verexertin. In extreme cld, use rad maps, seat cvers, and flr mats fr insulatin. Huddle with passengers and use yur cat fr a blanket. Take turns sleeping. One persn shuld be awake at all times t lk fr rescue crews. Drink fluids t avid dehydratin. Be careful nt t waste battery pwer. Balance electrical energy needs - the use f lights, heat, and radi - with supply. Turn n the inside light at night s wrk crews r rescuers can see yu. If stranded in a remte area, stmp large blck letters in an pen area spelling ut HELP r SOS and line with rcks r tree limbs t attract the attentin f rescue persnnel wh may be surveying the area by airplane. It is the missin f the Charlttesville Fire Department t prtect ur public by prviding superir fire and emergency services fcused n custmer service, educatin, preventin, and preparedness.

6 Charlttesville Fire Department A Wrld Class City 203 Ridge Street Charlttesville, Va Public Infrmatin Officer Battalin Chief Richard A. Jnes Leave the car and prceed n ft - if necessary - nce the blizzard passes. By fllwing these winter strm preparedness tips, it will keep yu and yur family safe this winter strm seasn. Fr ther winter strm preparedness questins cntact the Charlttesville Fire Department at r visit us n Facebk and Twitter.. It is the missin f the Charlttesville Fire Department t prtect ur public by prviding superir fire and emergency services fcused n custmer service, educatin, preventin, and preparedness.