It’s time to get prepared for a new season.
Don’t let extreme winter get in the way of your safety!

Get your Car prepared

Seventy percent of all fatalities related to ice and snow occur in automobiles, and about 25 percent of all winter-related fatalities are people caught off guard. However, there are many ways to avoid winter weather related accidents. You can start by following these easy steps:

1. Be sure to schedule a tune-up for your vehicle to ensure everything is working correctly.
2. Invest in good winter tires, and always keep your gas tank at least half full.
3. Pack a windshield scraper and other snow removal tools.
4. Dress warmly in layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.
5. Keep an emergency supply kit in your car at all times, and include items such as a flashlight (with extra batteries), cell phone (with charger), First Aid Kit, water and food, blankets and extra clothing, a small shovel, and booster cables.

Get your Home prepared

In the event of an emergency, you should make sure you and your family can live indoors for at least three days. This means making sure water and food is easily accessible, and edible, even if the electricity goes out. Also, make sure your home is well insulated, and that you have weather stripping around your doors and window sills to keep the warm air inside, and the cold air out. Keep an emergency supply kit in your home with contents similar to the emergency supply kit in your car.

Stay informed by listening to NOAA Weather winter weather watches and warnings (Learn more at www.weather.gov/nwr/). Be sure you know what all related weather terms mean:
• Freezing Rain creates a coating of ice on roads and walkways.
• Sleet is rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes roads to freeze and become slippery.
• Winter Weather Advisory means cold, ice and snow are expected.
• Winter Storm Watch means severe weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible in the next day or two.
• Winter Storm Warning means severe winter conditions have begun or will begin very soon.
• Blizzard Warning means heavy snow and strong winds will produce a blinding snow, near zero visibility, deep drifts and life-threatening wind chill.
• Frost/Freeze Warning means below freezing temperatures are expected.

Find more information in the “Prepare” section of RedDirtReady.com.