How to Be Safe in a Winter Storm
There are several feet of snow outside. Everything is entombed in a thick layer of ice. You’ve lost power and heat, and your pipes are frozen. What do you do? Here are a few tips.
If The Lights Go Out
- Call your utility first to determine area repair schedules. Turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit overload when service is restored. Leave one light on to indicate power has been restored.
- If you see downed power lines, do not touch them – assume they are live. Report the location of the downed power line to your utility company and please caution children when outdoors playing not to approach these lines.
- Protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning:
- DO NOT operate generators indoors; the motor emits deadly carbon monoxide gas.
- DO NOT use charcoal to cook indoors. It, too, can cause a buildup of carbon monoxide gas.
- DO NOT use your gas oven to heat your home -- prolonged use of an open oven in a closed house can create carbon monoxide gas.
- Make sure fuel space heaters are used with proper ventilation.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to help reduce food spoilage.
Staying Warm Indoors
- Keep warm by closing off rooms you do not need.
- Use only safe sources of alternative heat such as a fireplace, small well-vented wood or coal stove or portable space heaters. Always follow manufacturer's instructions.
- Dress in layers of lightweight clothing and wear a cap.
- Eat well-balanced meals.
Protecting Water Pipes
- Make sure you and your family knows how to shut off the water, in case pipes burst. Stopping the water flow minimizes the damage to your home. Call a plumber and contact your insurance agent.
- Never try to thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch.
- Always be careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing water.
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