You never know when severe winter
weather may strike. The following
are suggestions from the Centers for
Disease Control for facing possible
problems this winter.
Food and Safety Checklist
Have a week’s worth of food and safety
supplies. If you live far from other
people, have more supplies on hand.
Essential items to have on hand:
. Drinking water
. Canned-no-cook food such as bread,
crackers, dried fruits
. Non-electric can opener
. Baby food and formula
(if you have a baby)
. Prescription drugs and other
medicine
. First-aid kit
. Rock-salt to melt ice on walkways
. Supply of cat litter or bag of sand to
add traction on walkways
. Flashlight and extra batteries
. Battery-powered lamps or lanterns
The CDC recommends that homeowners
keep a water supply of 1 gallon per person
in the household on hand in case of an
emergency.
In an emergency—if no other water is
available—snow can be melted for water.
Bringing water to a rolling boil for one
minute will kill most germs but won’t
get rid of chemicals sometimes found in
snow.
Heating Checklist
Have at least one of the following heat
sources in case the power goes out:
. Fireplace with plenty of
dry firewood or gas log fireplace
. Portable space heaters or
kerosene heaters
AND:
. Never place a space heater
on top of furniture or near water.
. Use electric space heaters with
automatic shut-off switches and
non-glowing elements.
. Keep heat sources at least three feet
away from furniture and drapes.
. Never leave children unattended
near a space heater.
Keep the following
safety equipment on hand:
. Chemical fire extinguisher
. Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide
detector in working order. Check
once a month and change batteries
twice a year.
Cooking and Lighting Checklist
. Never use charcoal grills or
portable gas camp stove indoors—
the fumes are deadly.
. Avoid using candles.
. Never leave lit candles alone.
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