Winter Storm Safety Tips

With our area experiencing a serious bout of winter weather, Orange County Emergency Management Coordinator Kirby Saunders, has some tips to keep you safe and warm.

“Anytime there is a significant snow storm and there is the potential for accumulation of ice, the potential is always there for power outages,” said Saunders.

If you lose power due to a downed power line, make sure you stay clear and call authorities.

“If you are experiencing a power outage, and if you don’t have down trees or down power lines but your power’s out, you should contact your utility provider unless there is an emergency such as fire or sparking or arcing,” said Saunders.

Even if your power goes out, avoid the temptation to bring in that gas grill from the porch to warm you up.

“Never try to bring in anything that uses fuel to produce heat so a gas grill or even a charcoal grill, anything that uses some type of fuel to burn, to generate heat, that’s a bad thing to do to bring it inside because the carbon monoxide can get you pretty quickly,” said Saunders.

With temperatures below freezing it is also important to make sure your pipes don’t freeze. Keep the faucet dripping or open your cabinets to allow heat to reach the pipes.

Saunders says the best idea is to play it safe, with icy conditions even your front steps can become a hazard.

“So the best course of action is to stay indoors during the store and immediately afterwards. Even just trying to walk to on snowy or icy walkways can be dangerous so if you don’t have to be out the best course is to stay inside,” said Saunders.

But if you have to venture outside, make sure to use caution.

“Another thing that is often overlooked is to limit your time outside but mainly don’t overexert yourself if your shoving snow, especially if your elderly or young or if you have medical problems,” said Saunders.