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American Red Cross, American Red Cross New Hampshire, Android, App Store (iOS), Be Prepared, Blizzard, Emergency Preparedness, Fire safety, google play, Juno, National Weather Service, Red Cross, Red Cross NH, Red Cross Ready, travel, Weather Channel, winter storm
by Kelly Baker, American Red Cross New Hampshire Volunteer Partner
As I sit by a toasty fire (I should confess right here that I’m watching a toasty fire video on YouTube) and ponder life’s tough questions like who’s going to shovel all this snow, where am I going to put all this snow, and why didn’t I stock up on cookies when I had the chance, I realized that for some people this type of weather can spell disaster. Being ready for a winter storm is not having a selection of take out menus handy or stocking up on tabloid magazines but it’s taking the steps to ensure you and your family are ready for an emergency if it occurs.
While the storm is already in full force and staying inside is strongly advised you can start planning for the next severe winter storm right now and be Red Cross Ready.
- Assemble an Emergency Preparedness Kit: Weather conditions and travel bans may force your family to shelter-in-place at your home. Make sure your kit includes at least three days water and non-perishable food, as well as essential medications. Additionally, make sure you have a first aid kit and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries in your home in the event of a power outage.
- Keep an Emergency Preparedness Kit in your Car: Remember, many people thought they could make it to their destination and ended up stranded in their car for hours. Make sure your car safety kit includes snacks and water, as well as a warm coat, hat, mittens or gloves, and water-resistant boots, along with extra blankets and extra warm clothing for each family member. If you must drive never use cruise control on snow or ice covered roads and remember to keep at least five car lengths between you and snow removal equipment.
- Download our Red Cross Safety Apps: When power goes out, especially when restoration could be hours or days away, shelters are often opened in affected areas. Will you know where a shelter is when you need one? Download our Shelter App before disaster strikes. Is that cut or bruise serious? Do I have frostbite? If you have already downloaded our First Aid App you’ll have the answer at your fingertips.
- Fire Safety – Your Life Depends on It: While every day is Fire Safety day during a storm it’s even more important to be fire safe in your home. Are you using a generator during power outages? If so was it installed and vented properly? Are your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors working? If you’re using space heaters or a fire places/wood stove for extra warmth do you know how far away to keep combustibles? During a winter storm fire crews could be delayed in responding to your home and with fire every second counts. Make a plan of escape and practice that plan!
So while Winter Storm Juno has arrived in full force there is still time to do a few things to make yourself safe and ready for the reminder of this storm and for the next inevitable storm to come. In New England we are a hearty bunch of souls but being hearty does not take the place of being prepared.
Now I must turn up my faux fire and settle in for a winters nap. Wake me up around May 15th or when you’re finished baking chocolate chip cookies.
Stay safe New Hampshire!