|
For Immediate Release: November 8, 2017
NOAA’s
Climate Prediction Center: This Winter, La Nin᷈a is a Potential
‘Wildcard’
Get
Ready, Ohio! Winter Safety Awareness Week is November 12-18, 2017
Columbus, OH
– Will Ohio have another mild winter
like the last two, or will Mother Nature deal the Buckeye State a cold, cruel
blast of winter weather? The experts are not sure. According to the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center, La
Nin᷈a may emerge for the second time as “the biggest wildcard” in how this
year’s winter will be. Ohio may be wetter and warmer than normal this season.
Instead of taking chances, Ohioans should take steps
now – before winter hits – to be prepared for this upcoming cold season.
In preparation, Gov. John R. Kasich and the Ohio
Committee for Severe Weather Awareness (OCSWA) are promoting Winter Safety
Awareness Week, November 12-18. During this week, Gov. Kasich encourages homes
and businesses to update their safety plans, replenish supplies in their
emergency kits, and prepare themselves, their vehicles and property for
winter-related incidents.
“Winter Safety Awareness Week is the perfect time to
start preparing your homes and vehicles for winter,” said Ohio EMA Executive
Director Sima Merick. “Because of the warmer weather we had last winter, parts
of Ohio experienced thunderstorms, damaging winds and flooding. And just
Sunday, Ohio experienced severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and flash flooding.
So, regardless of the season, it’s best for Ohioans to be prepared for all
severe weather.”
OCSWA
recommends the following winter preparedness tips:
Prepare
your home for winter. Remove
and cut away low-hanging and dead tree branches. Strong winds, ice and snow can
cause tree limbs to break and could cause damage to your home. Have your
gutters cleaned. Snow and ice can build up quickly if clogged with debris.
Practice fire safety and prevention. With
winter months and the holiday season, people are indoors more, and cook,
decorate and entertain more – which unfortunately, can lead to more home fires.
The best protection is to have working smoke detectors in the home. Test your
smoke detectors monthly. Conduct fire drills. Change the batteries in you smoke
and carbon monoxide detectors twice a year – when you change your clocks,
change your batteries. Have auxiliary heaters, furnaces and fireplaces checked
or serviced before using. Cooking-related fires are the number one cause of
home fires. Never leave cooking food unattended. Keep towels, potholders, paper
away from the stove’s heat sources.
Prepare winter emergency supplies kits for the home
and vehicle. Check the
expiration dates on nonperishable food items, bottled water/beverages and
medications. Winter emergency kits should include flashlights, extra batteries,
blankets, coats, hats, gloves, a battery-operated radio/Weather Radio, first
aid kit, cell phone and charger, and enough nonperishable food and water (one
gallon per person, per day) to sustain every household member for several days.
Have stored food, bottled water and supplies for your pets, as well.
Check on your neighbors. Comprehensive preparedness requires whole
communities to participate in a “Neighbors
Helping Neighbors” approach. If
severe weather is forecasted or has just occurred, or if your neighborhood has
an extended power outage, check on your neighbors and family members –
especially those who are older or have functional needs – to ensure that they
are okay and that they have the resources to stay safe and warm. Your
communication plan might include exchanging phone numbers to call during times
of need.
The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness is
comprised of 16 local, state and federal agencies and organizations. For
additional information on winter weather safety and severe weather
preparedness, visit OCSWA’s website: www.weathersafety.ohio.gov.
NOAA’s U.S. Winter Outlook
# # #
For additional information, contact:
Kelli Blackwell at (614) 799-3694
kblackwell@dps.ohio.gov
| 
