ColumbiaMagazine.com
Printed from:

Welcome to Columbia Magazine  
 
· Home · Mobile
· Contact/Submit
· Classified Ads
· Birthdays
· Local Events
· Obituaries
· List of Topics
· Photo Archive
· Stories Archive
· Search


Campbellsville University




Dr. Ronald P. Rogers
 CHIROPRACTOR

Support for your body's natural healing capabilities

 270-384-5554
 Click here for details
 






  United
Citizens
Bank
Click here for information
 




 
Rex's
CYCLE SHOP
  
384-6018
 rexscycleshop.com

 













What's Going On
in Columbia?

see ColumbiaMagazine's
Events List

 


 
Columbia Gas Dept.
 GAS LEAK or GAS SMELL
Contact Numbers
24 hrs/ 365 days
270-384-2006 or 9-1-1
Call before you dig
 



Visit
ColumbiaMagazine's
 Directory of Churches

Addresses, times,
phone numbers and more
for churches in Adair County
 

 
Find Great Stuff in
ColumbiaMagazine's
Classified Ads

Antiques, Help Wanted,
Autos, Real Estate,
Legal Notices, More...
 





  
Winter Weather Safety Tips

From Mike Keltner, Adair County Emergency Management Director

As winter has finally caught up with us in Adair County the Office of Adair County Emergency Management wants to remind you that everyone is potentially at risk during winter storms. Most fatalities are indirectly related to the storm. People die from traffic accidents on icy roads, heart attacks while shoveling snow, and hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold and unsafe residential conditions.

Be prepared for winter weather! Listen to NOAA weather radio or commercial radio/television to stay informed about winter storm watches, warnings and advisories.

At home and work, plan ahead for winter storms by having these on hand:

  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Battery-backup powered NOAA weather Radio
  • AM/FM Radio
  • Extra food and water - high energy food such as dried fruit, nuts and granola bars, and food requiring no cooking or refrigeration
  • Can opener
  • Extra medicine and baby supplies
  • First aid kit
  • Heating fuel
  • Emergency heat source
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Smoke alarm
  • Make sure pets have plenty of food, water, and shelter
If you are already indoors during hazardous winter weather:
  • Stay inside!
  • When using alternate heat from a fireplace, wood stove, space heater, etc., use fire safeguards and properly ventilate
  • Close off unneeded rooms
  • Stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors
  • Cover windows at night
  • Eat and drink - food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat
  • Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing
The best advice for traveling during forecasted winter conditions is; "simply stay at home". Only travel if necessary. However, if you must: Before starting out in a vehicle:
  • Plan your travel
  • Check the weather
  • Have road condition phone numbers handy
  • Carry a Winter Storm Survival Kit
  • Keep the gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines
  • Avoid traveling alone
  • Let someone know your timetable and route
If you are stranded in your vehicle during hazardous winter weather:
  • Stay with your vehicle
  • Take turns sleeping
  • Run the motor every hour for 10 minutes to keep warm
  • Keep windows open a little to prevent carbon monoxide buildup
  • Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked
  • Tie a bright cloth to the antenna
  • Exercise periodically by vigorously moving your arms, legs, toes and fingers
  • Turn on the dome light while the engine is running to aid rescuers at night
After the snow stops falling, raise the car hood to indicate you need help A good automobile Winter Safety Kit includes: cell phone and charger, blankets or sleeping bags, flashlight and extra batteries, first-aid kit, knife, whistle, high-calorie non-perishable food, bottled water, extra clothing to keep dry, large empty can to use as emergency toilet, tissues and paper towels, small can and waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking water, sack of sand or cat litter for traction, shovel, windshield scraper and brush, tool kit, tow rope, battery booster cables, water container, compass and road maps. If stranded, a deck of cards can help keep both children and adults occupied until help arrives. Most of these items can be stored in a duffle bag and placed in the vehicle's truck.

Dress for the storm if you must be outdoors during severe winter weather:
  • Wear loose, lightweight, warm clothes in layers
  • Remove layers to avoid perspiration and subsequent chill
  • Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded.
  • Wear a hat --half your body heat loss can be from the head.
  • Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
  • Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.
  • Try to stay dry
If you are caught outdoors during hazardous winter weather:
  • DO NOT PANIC
  • Find shelter
  • Try to stay dry
  • Cover all exposed body parts
  • Build shelter: a lean-to, windbreak or snow cave for protection from the wind
  • Build a fire for heat and to attract attention
  • Place rocks around fire to absorb and reflect heat
  • Melt snow for drinking water -- eating snow will lower your body temperature
  • Avoid overexertion - especially when shoveling or freeing stuck vehicles
  • Experts suggest staying put and allow rescuers to locate you.
STAY SAFE: Being prepared for winter weather (just like all weather) starts at home. "BE AWARE - BE PREPARED".

This story was posted on 2016-01-18 12:52:57
Printable: this page is now automatically formatted for printing.
Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know.



More articles from topic News:

ACMS Site Council meets Tue 19 Jan 2016

PAC has 1,000 volunteer-validated signatures - 39 to go

C/AC Economic Development Authority meets 19 Jan 2016

Adair annex is available as warming center

Russell Estes notes historical inaccuracy

Knifley High School Graduates, 1950 - from Mike Watson

Historian says origin of town name Bliss drew most feedback

Fan of Moonstruck

Peggy Fudge: Always had interest in roles foods play in movies

Senator Max Wise's Legislative Update: 15 Jan 2016

View even more articles in topic News
  

Bank of Columbia

BankColumbia.com
Member FDIC



115 Jamestown St.
Columbia, KY.
270-384-2496
 
















The Best of
Senior Quest
Local Stories of
The Greatest Generation

Order Book or e-Book


See who's celebrating
Birthdays and Anniversaries
in Columbia:

Special Events List
 








 
ColumbiaMagazine's
Veterans List

Click Here
 

Get weather alerts for Adair County



Provided by the Adair Co Fiscal Court and the Adair Co. Emergency Mgt. Agency





 
 
Quick Links to Popular Features

Looking for a story or picture?
Try our Photo Archive or our Stories Archive for all the information that's appeared on ColumbiaMagazine.com.

 

Contact us: Columbia Magazine and columbiamagazine.com are published by Linda Waggener and Pen Waggener, PO Box 906, Columbia, KY 42728.
Phone: 270.403.0017

Please use our contact page, or send questions about technical issues with this site to webmaster@columbiamagazine.com. All logos and trademarks used on this site are property of their respective owners. All comments remain the property and responsibility of their posters, all articles and photos remain the property of their creators, and all the rest is copyright 1995-Present by Columbia Magazine. Privacy policy: use of this site requires no sharing of information. Voluntarily shared information may be published and made available to the public on this site and/or stored electronically. Anonymous submissions will be subject to additional verification. Cookies are not required to use our site. However, if you have cookies enabled in your web browser, some of our advertisers may use cookies for interest-based advertising across multiple domains. For more information about third-party advertising, visit the NAI web privacy site.