Prepare For Upcoming Cold Weather
Release Date: February 11, 2006
Release Number: 1604-241
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BILOXI, Miss. -- Mississippi residents currently living in temporary travel trailers or mobile homes may want to take extra precautions due to expected freezing temperatures.
More than 33,000 temporary housing units currently occupied throughout the state have been "winterized" prior to placement. Maintenance teams have applied special protective measures to reinforce water hoses and examined the electric heat strips of each unit.
The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency offers the following safety recommendations:
- Ensure propane tanks are full.
- If the water hose to the unit has been insulated, make sure the electric heat strip is plugged into the outlet on the side of the unit.
- If the water hose to the unit has not yet been insulated, consider letting a trickle of water run at night to prevent freeze-up. Ensure drainage piping is not blocked before taking this step.
- Use care when utilizing any propane appliances.
- Know where your shut-off valve is located and how to shut it off.
- Always be sure to have proper ventilation in your home.
- Never use grills or camp stoves indoors.
- Keep flammable and combustible materials away from open flames.
- Keep children and pets away from all heaters to avoid accidental burns.
- Don't assume that the smell of propane is because the tank is low.
- Never place your head near or directly over the valves on your storage tank.
For maintenance issues, applicants in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, Stone, or George counties can call toll-free 1-866-877-6075; applicants in the "601" area code should call 1-601-352-8342 or collect 1-240-379-3600.
Applicants in all other Mississippi counties can call toll-free 1-866-259-3521.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Monday, 13-Feb-2006 09:33:41