Stay Safe During Winter Storms

The eastern half of the U.S. has been hit hard with snow this season and it doesn’t have an end in sight.  Most of Mississippi is currently under winter storm watch.  So, what are things we can do to prepare for winter storms?  Well, let’s look at the possible problems that come with storms:

• Power outages
• Burst water lines
• Snowed or iced in

Now let’s look at what we can do to prepare ourselves for those situations…

• Have flashlights and extra batteries on hand. You may want to gather your candles and matches as well.
• Dig out (or purchase) your battery-powered NOAA weather radio and portable radio to receive emergency information.
• If you don’t have a supply already, stock up on canned and dry food items to last you at least a week. You never know how long you could be stuck in your home, roads shut down, or stores closed.
• Buy a crate of bottled water or use empty and sanitized soda bottles to fill with water.
• Stock up on baby diapers and formula, if needed.
• Make sure you have enough medications for those who need them.
• Have a back-up  heating  source such as a fireplace, wood-burning stove (make sure you  have enough wood!), or space heater (make sure you have enough fuel).

Emergency personnel may not be able to get to your home as quickly as usual.

• Have a stocked first-aid kit available.
• Check to see that you have a fire extinguisher and working smoke detectors.

Have a survival kit in your vehicle(s):

• Cell phone
• Blankets/sleeping bags
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Knife
• High calorie, non-perishable food
• A can and waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking water
• Sand or cat litter
• Shovel
• Windshield scraper
• Tow rope
• Jumper cables
• Water container
• Compass
• Road maps
• Extra winter clothes and boots

If you live in Mississippi, stay updated on the current winter storm development.

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