Winter Weather Safety
Preparedness and Awareness
Winter weather can be very dangerous - even fatal. Each year, dozens of Americans die due to exposure to the cold. If you are unprepared for what snow, ice, freezing rain and cold temperatures can do, you could be putting yourself and your loved ones at risk.
In your car, winter weather not only makes road conditions hazardous, but can and does result in motorists becoming stranded without proper shelter from the cold. In your home, you may face a loss of power and heat for several days as a result of downed power lines.
Preparedness is the key for handling such situations. Being unprepared can literally be life threatening.
Source: National Weather Service; Office of Climate, Water and Weather Service.
Be prepared for winter weather emergencies
There are a number of precautions that you can take to protect yourself and your family from the dangers of winter weather. Get prepared by making sure you and your family understand what it means when there is a winter storm watch or a winter storm warning. Have a family disaster plan in place for severe winter weather, and have a family disaster supplies kit available in case you lose heat and/or are unable to leave your home for supplies. Make sure you have a disaster supply kit in your car as well, in case you become stranded.
Links to More Information
Below you will find a number of links to the latest information about winter weather safety issues:
National Weather Service - Winter Weather Safety and Awareness
Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Winter Storm Webpage
Kansas Emergency Management's (KDEM) Community and Family Preparedness Information