Winter Weather Preparedness Week

November 12 through 18 is Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Illinois and Indiana

Press Release from Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director William Burke

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

November 9, 2006 Patti Thompson 217.558.0546 (office)

217.836-0742 (cell)

Illinoisans encouraged to get ready for cold, snow and ice during Winter Storm Preparedness Week

IEMA and National Weather Service join with Governor Blagojevich’s Keep Warm Illinois campaign to help people stay safe this winter

SPRINGFIELD – The good news is the National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting milder temperatures and below normal precipitation in Illinois this winter. The bad news is people throughout Illinois can still expect a few outbreaks of bone-chilling cold and typical winter precipitation – snow, sleet and ice.

That’s why the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the NWS are once again joining with Governor Rod R. Blagojevich’s Keep Warm Illinois campaign to remind Illinoisans of the steps they can take to keep safe this winter when bad weather inevitably strikes. The agencies are promoting winter weather preparedness during the annual Winter Storm Preparedness Week, November 12-18.

“A mild winter would be welcomed by most of us in Illinois , but we don’t want people to become complacent and be caught unprepared when bad weather hits,” said IEMA director William C. Burke. “Many winter weather-related injuries and deaths could be prevented if people took a few moments now to prepare their homes and cars and reacquaint themselves with winter hazards.”

According to the NWS, there has not been a winter in Illinois without a severe winter storm in the past century. On average, the state experiences five severe winter storms each year.

Driving in sleet, snow or ice can be particularly treacherous and accidents often occur when drivers are caught unaware. “Drivers in Illinois need to be aware of the forecast for the first snowfall of the season and then slow down,” said Chris Miller with the NWS in Lincoln . “Most injuries and fatalities attributed to winter weather are a result of auto accidents. It doesn’t take much snow or ice to produce very slippery conditions.”

Before traveling in winter months, check the latest weather conditions along your travel route and make sure tires, wipers, and lights are in good condition. Start your trip with a full tank of gas, provide your itinerary to a friend, relative or co-worker, and if possible, travel during daylight hours on main roads.

While on the road, be prepared to turn back and seek shelter if conditions become threatening. Keep windows clear of snow and ice and adjust speed for road conditions.

If you are stranded, pull as far off the road as possible, set your hazard lights to flashing and hang or tie a colored cloth, preferably red, to your antenna, window or door. If you have a cellular phone, call for help. Stay in your vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find you. Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow, and then run the engine and heater about ten minutes each hour to keep warm.

Now’s the time to equip your car with a winter car survival kit stocked with items that can keep you safe and warm if you should become stranded alongside a road. A car survival kit should include the following:

· Cell phone and charger

· First aid kit

· Water and high-calorie, non-perishable food

· Boots, hats, gloves and extra clothing to keep dry

· Blanket

· Sack of sand or cat litter

· Shovel

· Windshield scraper and brush

· Tool kit

· Tow rope

· Booster cables

· Compass and road maps

· A small can and waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking water

A severe winter storm could prevent you from leaving your home for several days, perhaps without electricity or heat. A basic home preparedness kit can help you get through winter storms and other emergencies throughout the year. Items in the kit should include:

· Three-day supply of non-perishable food, including high energy foods such as dried fruit and candy

· Bottled water (one gallon per family member per day for three days)

· Battery-operated radio, NOAA weather radio and extra batteries

· Flashlight and extra batteries

· First aid kit

· Extra medications and special items for babies, the disabled and the elderly

To learn more about winter preparedness, IEMA, NWS and the American Red Cross developed a Winter Storm Preparedness Guide, which is available on the IEMA website at www.state.il.us/iema or by calling (217) 785-9888. The guide includes many more tips on how to stay safe in your home and car, as well as information about winter weather terms, frostbite and hypothermia.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) also offers a free guide called “Weathering Winter” to help people stay safe and healthy during the winter. The guide addresses cold weather preparations including safety tips for using furnaces, fireplaces and space heaters; fire safety; weather terms and understanding wind chill; preparing for severe weather; maintaining your water supply; winterizing your vehicle; and safe winter driving. There is also health information about colds, influenza, hypothermia and frostbite. The guide includes safety information about winter sports such as sledding, ice skating, skiing and snowmobiling. Holiday safety information about holiday cooking, toy safety, Christmas tree safety and drinking and driving and alcohol consumption is also included.

A copy of the guide can be found on the IDPH website at http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/books/WeathWinter02.pdf or a free copy can be obtained by contacting the department at (217) 782-5750, TTY (hearing impaired use only) 800-547-0466 or fax at (217) 782-3987

The Keep Warm Illinois website (www.keepwarm.illinois.gov) offers various no-cost and low-cost energy saving tips, a web-based tool to conduct a home energy audit, links to energy assistance programs and other resources. In addition, the Keep Warm Illinois hotline (1-877-411-WARM) is another resource for Illinois residents to learn how to save energy and get energy assistance.

Here are some web resources for winter weather;

National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville winter weather page – includes terminology, local warning and advisory criteria, local snowfall statistics, and other winter links; http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lot/?n=winter

National Weather Service Headquarters Winter Weather page; http://www.weather.gov/om/winter

Illinois Emergency Management Agency Winter Storm Preparedness Guide; http://www.state.il.us/iema/disaster/pdf/iema333_winter_storm_preparedness_guidebook.pdf

National Weather Service Chicago will issue a series of Public Information Statements from Monday November 13 through Saturday November 18 on a variety of winter topics from state agencies and organizations. These messages will also air on NOAA Weather Radio stations across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana.

Monday

…This Is Winter Weather Preparedness Week…

This week, November 12 through 18, is Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Illinois and Indiana. Take time to prepare your family for a cold weather emergency at home or on the road. Throughout the winter months, helpful information will be available from federal, state and local agencies, disaster relief organizations and public safety organizations. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency urges you to use this information to develop a family protection plan for a safe winter.

If the need arises because of storms this winter, shelters throughout Illinois will open for your protection. William Burke, Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and his staff say you can help by creating a family protection plan. Have a store of food and drinking water, a battery-powered portable radio for receiving emergency information, a first aid kit, and most importantly, a plan for warmth and safety. For more information contact your local emergency management agency or visit www.state.il.us/iema.

Tuesday

…This Is Winter Weather Preparedness Week…

Winter storms are dangerous. You can minimize the impact of severe winter weather by being prepared. Check the latest weather forecast before traveling. The National Weather Service issues outlooks, watches, warnings, and advisories for hazardous winter weather.

The Hazardous Weather Outlook highlights potentially dangers winter storms, high winds, and extreme cold, up to seven days in advance.

A Winter Storm Watch, means severe winter weather is possible in the next day or two. Check supplies of food and fuel.

A Winter Storm Warning, means severe winter weather conditions are imminent. Avoid travel and stay indoors.

A Winter Weather Advisory, is for weather that causes significant inconvenience, especially to motorists. Use caution.

The best way to get the latest winter weather information direct from the National Weather Service is by listening to NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards. Radios are available at many electronics and department

Stores, through catalogs, and through the internet. They cost around $30 to $80. Weather radio broadcasts are also available at many Illinois interstate highway rest areas.

Check the latest local weather conditions on the web at weather.gov/chicago.

For information on local winter weather visit weather.gov/chicago/?n=winter.

For more information on winter weather visit weather.gov/om/winter.

Wednesday

…This Is Winter Weather Preparedness Week…

The American Red Cross urges winter weather safety. The blustery Cold and blowing snow of an Illinois winter is upon us. Do you Know how to protect yourself from life-threatening situations that arise with hazardous weather? If not, now is the perfect time to prepare yourself and your family before you’re left out in the cold. For free brochures on winter weather precautions, call your local Red Cross chapter today.

The cold winters in Illinois are sometimes, quite literally, bone chilling! If you are out in the cold and notice dizziness, numbness, confusion, and impaired vision, you may have hypothermia. Prolonged exposure to the cold can lead to this life-threatening condition which causes your body temperature to fall below normal, affecting how your body functions. To treat hypothermia call 9-1-1 or your local emergency medical system and move to a warmer place. For more information on cold weather first aid, contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross or visit www.redcross.org.

Thursday

…This Is Winter Weather Preparedness Week…

Has your car, van, or pickup had a checkup lately? The Illinois State Police remind you that winter is on the way. Now’s the time to make sure your car can survive the coming winter weather extremes. Check the tires, brakes, and battery, along with the heating and defrosting system. Change the anti-freeze, if needed, to protect your car’s engine and radiator from freezing up in the cold temperatures that will be with us this winter.

Here’s a winter driving tip from the Illinois state police. When a winter storm arrives, with all its ice, wind, and blinding snow, here’s an important question to ask yourself before braving a drive through the winter storm. Ask if the need to make the trip is a matter of life or death. If the answer is no, don’t go! Remember, a blizzard or dangerous winter storm can cause the trip itself to become a life threatening situation.

Friday

…This Is Winter Weather Preparedness Week…

If you have to travel out of town during a winter storm, be sure to tell your family or friends where you are going, the roads you will be taking, and your time of arrival. Make sure your gas tank is full. Carry a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a shovel, flashlight, a blanket or additional warm clothing and candy bars or other high energy snack foods.

Don’t panic if you become stranded on the road during a winter storm. Stay in your vehicle. Don’t try to walk to safety. If you have a cell phone, use it to let someone know you are stranded. Attach a cloth to your car’s antenna or window to indicate you need help and turn on the dome light and flashers to make your car more noticeable.

If you have to drive during a winter storm, you will probably see state snow plows on the highway. If the plow is coming toward you, allow plenty of room for it to pass. If you approach a snowplow from the rear, pass with care and only when you can see the road ahead of the plow. If you can’t see because of blowing snow, don’t pass.

This winter when it’s stormy, play it safe. Check out road conditions on the interstate and freeway system before your drive out of town. Call the Illinois Department of Transportation’s toll free number, 1-800-452-IDOT for current conditions or visit www.dot.state.il.us. Drive safely this winter.

Saturday

…This Is Winter Weather Preparedness Week…

Follow these tips from the Illinois State Fire Marshal and your local fire department to make your winter fire-safe. Have all heating equipment professionally checked and cleaned. Make sure heating units carry the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Always follow all manufacturer’s instructions. Place space heaters at least three feet from walls, furniture and other combustible items. Be sure wiring is sufficient for operating an electrical heater. Use extension cords sparingly. Install and maintain smoke detectors.

A smoke detector that doesn’t have a battery, doesn’t work, and won’t save your life. A working smoke detector is your first line of defense in the event of a fire. Be sure to clean and maintain your smoke detector. Replace the battery at least once or twice a year and be sure to test your smoke detector regularly. Have a fire-safe winter.

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