CLEVELAND - The city of Cleveland has sent out some safety tips to keep in mind as we prepare for the winter storm this weekend.
Safety at home:
Be prepared for weather-related emergencies, including power outages.
• Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration and water stored in clean containers.
• Prepare/stock an emergency survival kit.
Check your heating systems.
• Have your heating system serviced professionally to make sure it is clean, working properly, and ventilated to the outside.
• Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.
• Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available.
Check your heating systems.
• Have your heating system serviced professionally to make sure it is clean, working properly, and ventilated to the outside.
• Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.
• Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available.
If you do not have working smoke detectors, install them on every floor of your home and in every room where people sleep. Test batteries monthly and replace them twice a year. Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning emergencies.
• Install CO detectors to alert you of the deadly, odorless, colorless gas. Test batteries regularly and replace them twice a year.
• Learn the symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
• Keep grills, camp stoves, and generators out of the house, basement, and garage.
• Locate generators at least 20 feet from the house.
• Leave your home immediately if the CO detector sounds and call 911.
Winterize your home.
• Install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows.
• Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls.
• Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.
Safety on the road:
Prepare your vehicle.
• Service the radiator and maintain the antifreeze level.
• Check your tires’ tread and tire pressure regularly.
• Keep the gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
• Use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer.
• Prepare a winter emergency kit to keep in your car if you become stranded.
Drive safely.
• Slow down! Increase your following distance to ensure you can stop safely.
• Allow more time when commuting or traveling
• Don’t crowd snowplows or travel beside the trucks.
• Don’t Block the Box: Ensure you can move through an intersection before the traffic signal changes.
• Always pull over for emergency vehicles.
• If you are stopped or stalled, use flashers to ensure you can be seen.
• Do not text or drive distracted. Wear your seatbelt and always drive sober.
Keep kids safe in the car.
• Heavy coats can interfere with the proper harness fit on a child in a car seat. Dress babies and children in thin warm layers, and place blankets over the secured harness for extra warmth.
Pay attention to snow parking bans.
• If snow accumulation exceeds 2 inches, a Snow Emergency Parking Ban may be enacted.
• The ban allows plows sufficient time to remove snow and ice and move through city streets.
• When a snow ban goes into effect, stopping, standing, and parking of vehicles will be restricted and prohibited on City streets with posted red and white signs. Anyone who fails to comply will be ticketed and towed.
Safety while outdoors:
Dress for the weather.
• Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: a tightly woven, preferably wind-resistant coat or jacket; inner layers of light, warm clothing; mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots.
• Wear bright or reflective colors outside after dark and carry a light.
• If you suspect hypothermia or frostbite, call 911 immediately. If possible, protect the person from further exposure to the cold, carefully remove any wet clothing, and never rub skin affected by frostbite. Sprinkle cat litter or sand on icy patches to avoid slip-and-fall accidents. Learn safety precautions to follow when outdoors.
• Work slowly and take breaks when doing outside chores like shoveling snow.
• Take a buddy and an emergency kit when participating in outdoor recreation.
• Carry a fully charged cell phone. Protect your pets. • Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather.
• Don’t forget or skip planning and preparing for your animals in an emergency.
• To report concerns about pets outside in extreme weather, call 216-664-3069
Stay informed:
Sign up for CodeRED alerts.
• To stay informed of emergencies this winter, sign up for CodeRED.
• Get the free app CodeRED Mobile Alert on the App Store (apple.com) or subscribe via email
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