The Seattle Office of Emergency Management and Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare sent out a list of suggestions to consider this week as our winter weather arrives. Take a moment to consider one or two steps you could take to be better prepared for winter:
- Know The Outside Conditions – The weather may affect your commute, or traffic in general. Find a reliable source for local information on the weather, road conditions, closures, and transit changes – and think before you head out about how adverse weather might affect your route, and if you might change or cancel your trip.
- Prepare To Be At Home (Or Work) For A Long Period Of Time – Winter weather can strand people in their homes (or work) for longer than expected. Stock up on emergency supplies, including working flashlights and warm coverings, create an emergency plan, and food stuffs. Also, prepare your home for winter weather by protecting pipes and getting heating appliances checked.
- Stock Up On Supplies – Don’t forget nutritious foods, water, medications, personal hygiene items, and pet supplies. Check (restock?) first aid kits. Dig out extra blankets, coats, hats, gloves, and scarves – plus items for your pets – should the heat go out. Have a battery powered radio, extra chargers and low-tech back-ups of any devices that rely on electricity (game of cards anyone?) Now is a good time to buy snow shovels, rock salt or cat litter to clear ice or snow from walkways. Avoid candles – use flashlights and light sticks. Create a list now of emergency contacts and up-to-date medical information including information for doctors.
Have An Emergency Plan – Check in on neighbors – and ask them to check in on you – and share contact information. Find places you can go – friends or family – if your power goes out. Public health has power outage information on-line. Also, on-line find an updated .pdf of severe weather shelter locations.
- If You Must Go Out In Severe Weather – Dress warmly in several loose layers, with a hat, wear hand coverings, cover your mouth and nose with a scarf, keep as dry as possible (change wet socks as soon as possible,) and wear weather appropriate shoes/boots to avoid falls.
Find additional information about how to stay safer, and healthier, this winter on the Take Winter By Storm website. Consider doing one or two things this week to keep problems this winter from turning into tragic situations.