Winter hazard awareness week is Nov. 9-13

McLEOD COUNTY, MN – McLeod County Emergency Management Director Kevin Mathews reported that November 9-13 has been declared Winter Hazard Awareness Week in Minnesota. “It gives us the opportunity to review and prepare for the winter season (even though we already had winter weather this fall),” Mathews said. He submitted the following tips that people can use to prepare for winter weather:

Winter Weather Preparations

Keep ahead of the winter storm by listening for the latest weather statements, watches and warnings.

Your vehicle should also be ready. Get it winterized, before the onset of winter weather.

Be equipped for the worst. Carry a winter survival kit in your car, especially when traveling in rural or open areas. Try to travel with others.

When Driving

Yield to snowplows, and give them plenty of room to operate.

If your vehicle becomes stranded, stay with it until help arrives.

Do not try to walk for help during a blizzard, you could easily become lost in the whiteout conditions.

Outdoor Activities

If you will be outside during storms or extreme cold, dress in layered clothing and avoid overexertion.

Do not kill yourself shoveling snow. Shoveling is very hard work and may induce a heart attack.

If you will be snowmobiling, avoid alcohol. Most snowmobile deaths are alcohol related. Take a snowmobile course offered by the DNR or check with your snowmobile dealer.

There were five fatalities in Minnesota last winter when people fell through thin ice.

Home Safety

Heating fires are a major cause of residential fires in Minnesota. Turn off portable heating devices when you are away from home or retire for the evening. Have your fireplace and chimney professionally inspected before winter.

Carbon Monoxide is most likely to accumulate inside homes during winter. Check your heating systems and ensure your home has proper ventilation. Install a UL listed Carbon Monoxide detector that sounds an alarm.

In addition to these brief reminders, daily statements will be issued November 9th through the 13th. They will provide more detailed information pertaining to winter safety. The following is a list of the daily topics for our Winter Hazard Awareness Campaign:

Monday, November 9 – Winter Weather Overview

Tuesday, November 10 – Outdoor Winter Safety

Wednesday, November 11 – Winter Fire Safety

Thursday, November 12 – Indoor Air Issues

Friday, November 13 – Winter Automobile Safety

More Info found at www.hsem.state.mn.us or www.crh.noaa.gov/mpx