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 To help Illinois residents be prepared for winter
weather, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and
National Weather Service (NWS) developed a
Winter Weather Preparedness Guide to help families prepare for
extreme cold, snow and ice.
“Being unprepared for winter weather is not only inconvenient, but
it can be dangerous,” said IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “We are
encouraging all Illinoisans 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.”
A study published in 2020 by the University of Illinois Chicago
found that nearly 95-percent of temperature related deaths in
Illinois were due to cold weather. According to the NWS, the coldest
temperature on record occurred on January 31, 2019 when the mercury
dropped to negative 38 degrees near Mt. Carroll in Carroll County.
The previous record of negative 36 degrees was set in 1999.
Being in the cold too long can cause serious health problems.
Hypothermia, or a drop in the body’s core temperature, does not
require sub-arctic temperatures and can set in when you are indoors
and outdoors. Hypothermia is especially dangerous and can be fatal
if not detected promptly and treated properly. Frostbite occurs when
your extremities (fingers, toes, nose, and ears) are exposed to cold
weather. The skin may become stiff and numb leading to severe tissue
damage. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases
can lead to amputation.
Take Precautions When Working Outside
“Many Illinois workers, such as first-responders, public works crews
and construction workers, will have to brave the outdoor elements
this winter to do their jobs.” said Illinois Department of Labor
Director Michael Kleinik. “It is vital for these workers to prepare
ahead for severe conditions. Proper clothing is a must but making
sure your body is ready for the added stress is also important.”
Hospital emergency rooms see an increase in cardiac incidents each
winter. The frigid cold causes your body to go into protection mode,
narrowing blood vessels. That can increase strain on the heart for
those doing hard physical labor. Preventative maintenance is a good
idea. Medical professionals encourage people who must work outside
regularly in the winter weather consider scheduling a physical exam
before that winter work begins.
Common sense and self-awareness are the keys to winter weather
safety. Workers should know the signs of hypothermia, not push their
bodies to an extreme, layer clothing and make sure they have plenty
of fluids to avoid dehydration. [to top of second
column] |
Recognize Home Heating Dangers
Every year, more than 400 people die in the U.S. from accidental carbon monoxide
(CO) poisoning. CO is found in fumes produced any time you burn fuel in cars or
trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, or
furnaces. CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it.
“Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths with half of
home heating fires occurring during the months of December, January and
February. That is why it’s so important to have your furnace, wood burning
stoves, fireplaces and chimneys inspected and cleaned by licensed professionals
every year. Test all smoke and CO alarms in the homes monthly and replace
expired or broken alarms. Having these heating devices checked and serviced will
help prevent fires and tragedies from occurring in our communities this winter,”
said State Fire Marshal Matt Perez.
Ice and Snow, Take it Slow
Preparing for winter also means adjusting your driving habits. Snowy or
ice-coated roads and reduced visibility due to fog or blowing snow results in
thousands of motor vehicle crashes every year in Illinois. Many of these crashes
can be avoided by slowing down on city streets, rural roads and highways.
Traffic studies have shown that many times, minor accumulations of snow or ice
on roads can be just as dangerous for motorists as major snowstorms.
“As we head into winter, the preparations and planning you do today can save
your life in the months ahead,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary
Omer Osman. “Pack an emergency kit to store in your vehicle. Build extra time in
your schedules if you are driving this winter. Give our plows and workers room
to do their jobs. And always be asking yourself when the forecast calls for snow
and ice: Is this trip really necessary?”
For the latest road conditions and other travel information, bookmark and follow
IDOT’s www.GettingAroundIllinois.com throughout the year.
Keep in mind, being prepared for winter doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or
take a lot of time. It could be as simple as making sure your vehicle is in good
winter driving condition, adding a winter survival kit to your car, changing
your furnace filter at home and stocking or updating your family’s emergency
supply kit. Take time now to prepare your family, home, vehicles and driving
habits for everything from a dusting of snow to a major winter storm.
For more information about winter weather preparedness, including the Weathering
Winter guide from the Illinois Department of Public Health, visit the Ready
Illinois website at www.Ready.
Illinois.gov.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information] |
