The winter holiday season is
approaching and many families will be busy with preparations. Remember
to take time to prepare homes and vehicles for the cold weather. The
following lists some suggestions for winter driving.
- Service vehicles and check
antifreeze. Carry a windshield scraper.
- Carry a folding shovel and small
bag of sand to use if the vehicle becomes bogged down in the snow or
ice.
- Dress for the season and wear loose, lightweight, warm clothes in layers. Wear a hat and gloves.
- Carry blankets and high energy
drinks and snacks.
- Carry a cell phone and constantly
observe mile markers or other identifiers so if you need help you
can give good directions to your location.
Winterize homes by checking insulation
in attic and walls; caulk and weather-strip doors and windows; and put
on the storm windows. When it goes below freezing for an extended
period, let the water drip from several faucets, especially at night.
Make sure all family members know where the main water valve is and how
to turn the water off to the house.
Always keep on hand:
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Portable battery-operated radio and
extra batteries
- Non-electric can opener
- One telephone should be
hardwired,
wireless phones go out with the power.
- Keep ample supply of wood for the
fireplace.
- Be prepared to pull out extra
blankets and sleeping bags
- Layer clothing and wear a hat when
outdoors.
When the power goes out, always call
Virginia Power at 1-888-667-3000. Virginia Power uses those telephone
calls to determine the extent of the outage. It is important that every
affected household call to report the power outage. If you lease a
generator or own a portable generator, connect appliances directly to
the generator, rather than connecting to your home’s electrical
system.
Remember the people in your family and
neighborhood with special needs. Check on elderly family members and
neighbors to ensure that their warm and that they have adequate food
supplies and prescription medicines. Help keep sidewalks and walkways
clear of snow and ice to avoid injuries from falls. Cold weather also
puts a strain on the heart, even without exertion so shoveling snow is
an additional strain on the heart.
