IEMA, National Weather Service encourage people to prepare for
winter weather
November
is Winter Weather Preparedness Month in Illinois
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[November 07, 2013]
SPRINGFIELD -- Frosty
temperatures have already destroyed the blooms on many summer plants
-- a sure sign that winter weather isn't far away. While it's not
yet time to start shoveling snow, the Illinois Emergency Management
Agency and the National Weather Service are encouraging people to
begin preparing now for extreme cold, snow and ice.
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IEMA and the NWS will highlight winter weather preparedness
throughout November as part of their annual Winter Weather
Preparedness campaign. "In Illinois, it's a question of when
snow, ice and subzero temperatures will hit, not if they
will occur," said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. "Getting caught
unprepared may not be just inconvenient, it could be dangerous.
Now's the time to take a few minutes to put together your home and
vehicle emergency supply kits and review the steps you should take
to stay safe during hazardous winter weather."
According to the NWS, there were eight deaths related to extreme
cold temperatures nationwide in calendar year 2012. That number is
significantly lower than the 10-year national average of 27
fatalities. All of the 2012 cold-related fatalities occurred
outdoors, including three deaths in Illinois.
Since 1995, 134 fatalities related to cold temperatures have
occurred in Illinois, making it the second-leading cause of
weather-related deaths in Illinois in the past 18 years.
"There are several dangerous health conditions that can occur in
winter weather," said Illinois Department of Public Health Director
LaMar Hasbrouck. "It's important to watch for signs of being too
cold or overexertion. Hypothermia, when a person's body temperature
drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, can occur both outdoors and
indoors and can be fatal. Frostbite, when skin becomes stiff and
numb, can cause tissue damage. And watch for signs of overexertion,
such as chest pain, when shoveling snow. Know the warning signs of
dangerous cold weather health conditions in order to stay safe and
healthy during the winter."
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To help Illinois residents prepare for winter, IEMA, the NWS and
the American Red Cross developed a
Winter Weather Preparedness guide (PDF) that covers winter
weather terms and tips for staying safe at home, in the car and at
school. The guide is available on the Ready Illinois website at
www.ready.illinois.gov
or by calling 217-785-9925.
"Preparing well in advance of winter weather is really the best
way to cope when snow, ice and cold temperatures affect us," said
Chris Miller, warning coordination meteorologist with the NWS office
in Lincoln. "Now is the time to prepare your vehicle and house for
winter conditions. Make sure you have blankets, nonperishable food,
boots, extra clothing and other items in your car to ride out the
storm in case you are stranded or waiting for a tow. At home, make
sure you have enough essential items to ride out a storm, in some
cases without power, for three days at the very least."
For more information about winter weather preparedness, including
the
Weathering Winter guide (PDF) from the Illinois Department of
Public Health, visit the Ready Illinois website at
www.ready.illinois.gov.
[Text from
Illinois
Emergency Management Agency file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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