Winter Weather Tips 2022

Published December 19, 2022

Caitlin Gatlin | Communications & Marketing Manager

The National Weather Service is forecasting below freezing temperatures & wind chill values below zero Thursday, December 22 through Friday, December 23.

It is important to be as prepared as possible in all aspects of your day-to-day life, starting with your home.

Follow these tips to keep your home safe & warm:

• Check your heating systems.
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from any heat source, like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators or space heaters.
• Keep portable generators outside, away from windows & as far away from your home as possible.
• Plug only one heat-producing appliance (like a space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time.
• Have a qualified professional clean & inspect your chimney & vents every year.
• Store cooled ashes in a tightly covered metal container & keep it at least 10 feet from your home or any buildings.
• Closely monitor any burning fires or candles.
• Check your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
• Keep an emergency kit in your home that includes flashlights, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, extra medicine, and baby items.
• If you lose power, your kit should also include food and water for three days for each family member, warm clothing if you have to evacuate, and toys and games for children.

For more information on how to prevent winter fires, visit www.usfa.fema.gov/winter & www.nfpa.org/winter.

Prepare your car:

• Check your tires and replace with all-weather or snow tires, if necessary
• Check your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers & interior lights
• Keep your gas tank full to prevent ice from getting in the tank and fuel lines
• Use a wintertime fluid in your windshield washer
• Make sure your defroster works
• Make sure each tire is filled to the vehicle's manufacturer recommended inflation pressure
• Make an emergency kit to keep in your car. Include water, snacks, first-aid kit, blankets, flashlight, extra batteries, portable cell phone charger, and emergency flares.

Drive safely:

• Avoid using cruise control in wintry conditions
• Steer in the direction of a skid, so when your wheels regain traction, you don’t have to overcorrect to stay in your lane
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly
• Increase following distance to 8 to 10 seconds
• If possible, don’t stop when going uphill

For more winter driving tips, visit AAA.

Prepare for outdoor activities:

• Wear layers of light and warm clothing, a wind-resistant coat, waterproof shoes, and a hat, gloves, and scarf.
• Work slowly when engaged in outdoor tasks, such as shoveling your driveway or removing snow from your car.
• Take a friend and carry a charged cell phone when participating in outdoor activities.

Prevent falls this winter:

• Choose the right shoe.
  • Shoes and boots need to fit properly and have soles with good traction. Snow boots or hiking boots will provide the best protection for the worst type of weather.
• Leave early.
  •  Falls are more likely to happen when you’re in a rush. Allow yourself plenty of time to get to where you’re going.
• Walk like a penguin.
  • ​​​​​​​Take short steps and walk as flat-footed as possible on icy or slippery ground.
• Keep your hands free.
  • You’ll need them to help you balance, so avoid carrying heavy loads and keep those hands out of your pockets.
• Remove snow & ice from walkways.
  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Don’t wait for it to melt. That could take awhile. Apply ice melt and ask for help if you need it.
• Keep the lights on.
  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​If you have exterior lights on your home, use them to help see where you’re walking at night.