The Chester County Department of Emergency Services (CCDES) is promoting winter preparedness and encouraging residents to take action to prepare for the today’s winter weather.
According to a weather update issued by the National Weather Service Mount Holly Weather Forecast Office on Tuesday, Precipitation is expected to begin as all snow later today and then change over to sleet and freezing rain. This changeover from snow to sleet to freezing rain, then rain will occur during the Tuesday evening commute before moving further north Tuesday evening and night. An inch or two of snow/sleet accumulation is expected north and west of Philadelphia before the changeover to rain is complete in the far north during the late overnight hours. The evening commute will be affected. Winter Weather Advisories have been posted.
“When traveling during rush hour in winter weather, take caution.” says Robert Kagel, Director of Chester County Department of Emergency Services. “Stay six car lengths away from the car in front of you, do not pass plow or salt trucks and please use your headlights.”
ReadyChesco.org promotes the preparation of Ready kits for any type of emergency. Also on ReadyChesco.org are checklists to help prepare kits, especially for people with specific needs such as the elderly, for businesses, for people with specials needs, and for pets.
Supplies that CCDES recommends adding to Ready kits and checklists for winter weather include:
- Rock salt or other environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways.
- Sand to improve traction.
- Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.
- Adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm.
- Sufficient heating fuel and/or a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
- Keep posted on weather conditions.
- Prepare for isolation at home. Keep an emergency kit on
- Don't use gas cooking stoves for heat sources.
- Check with neighbors and relatives who may need extra assistance.
“We urge everyone to sign up for a text and E-mail service called ReadyNotifyPA (www.readynotifypa.org), which allows county and municipal officials to send E-mail or text messages to cell phones, pagers or other E-mail enabled devices during an emergency,” says Tom Glass, Deputy Director for Emergency Management.
“We also recommend that residents review and plan for any emergency by going to www.readychesco.org” adds Glass.
CCDES also warns of safety risks linked to keeping homes warm during winter storms, and recommends:
- Keep flammable items at least three feet from heat sources like radiators, space heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves.
- Make sure to check your carbon monoxide detector.
- Plug only one heat-producing appliance (such as a space heater) into an electrical outlet.
- Ensure there are working smoke alarms on every level of your home and check them on a monthly basis.
- Use caution with kerosene or gas space heaters. Use vented space heaters whenever possible, and always makes sure they are cleaned and inspected.
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