Tips aid preparation for winter weather's hazards

Cold winter weather has finally come to the Ozarks, which means winter weather hazards are here as well. The National Weather Service and state Office of Emergency Management offer a number of tips regarding winter weather safety.

Preparing for winter storms

Keep extra batteries for radios and check battery-operated equipment before a storm arrives.

Keep an extra supply of food in the house, especially food that requires no cooking, in case of a power outage.

Keep blankets, clothing, curtains and furniture, and anything that might catch fire away from portable heaters. Likewise, unplug heaters when they are not in use. Also, never use charcoal to heat a house, as it gives off deadly amounts of carbon monoxide.

Dress appropriately. Wear several layers of lightweight, warm clothing. Make sure outer garments are tightly woven or waterproof.

Wear head gear and mittens, which give better protection than gloves.

Beware of overexertion and exhaustion when shoveling snow or cleaning up downed tree limbs.

Power outages

Register life-sustaining equipment, such as ventilators, home dialysis machines, and neonatal monitors with your utility company to be put on a priority list for re-establishing electrical power. If you have such equipment, you may want to consider a home generator.

Prepare a power-outage kit. For short outages, consider having glow light sticks, flashlights, a battery powered radio, extra batteries and a wind-up clock on hand.

Make sure you have an alternate heat source and a supply of fuel.

Have a corded telephone available. Cordless phones don't work when the power is out.

If your house is the only one without power, check your fuse box or circuit breaker panel. Turn off large appliances before replacing fuses or resetting circuits.

If power is out in the neighborhood, disconnect all electrical heaters and appliances to reduce the initial demand and protect motors from possible low-voltage damage.

If you leave your home, turn off or unplug heat-producing appliances.

Unplug computers and other voltage-sensitive equipment to protect it against possible surges when the power is restored.

Conserve water, especially if you are on a well.

Keep doors, windows and draperies closed to retain heat in your home.

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. If the door remains closed, a fully loaded freezer can keep foods frozen for two days.

Be extremely careful of fire hazards caused by candles or other flammable light sources.

When using kerosene heaters, gas lanterns or stoves inside the house, maintain ventilation to avoid a buildup of toxic fumes.

Leave one light switch in the on position to alert you when electrical service is restored.