NEWS RELEASE - November 3, 2003

HURON COUNTY WINTER SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK

NOVEMBER 16 TO 22, 2003

For the State of Ohio, the winter of 2002-2003 will go down in the records books as one of the coldest and just slightly drier than normal. All reporting stations averaged the winter temperatures for Ohio as only 26.1 degrees Fahrenheit. The average winter temperature for Ohio dating back to 1896 is 29.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Statewide, last winter was 3.2 degrees colder than normal and ranked as the 17th coldest winter on record since 1896. The statewide winter precipitation totaled 7.46 inches. The average statewide precipitation dating back to 1896 is 7.82 inches. As a result, Ohio was very close to its normal precipitation. We were slightly below average with a deficit of -0.36 inches. Last winter ranked 50th for precipitation since 1896.

With the winter season approaching, the Huron County Emergency Management Agency would like to remind all citizens to take the time to be prepared and protected in the event of a winter storm.

HOME PROTECTION: Be prepared. Make sure you have the supplies you need. Candles or matches, a battery powered radio and battery operated clock, extra batteries, an ample supply of wood for fireplaces, and a flashlight or lantern with extra batteries should also be on hand. Additionally, non-perishable food (particularly that which can be eaten without heating), bottled soft drinks, juices and water are essential items, especially if the power is out and your water is turned off. If you are on medication, make certain you have an adequate supply of your medication -- the drugstore may not be accessible or open during a winter storm or blizzard.

Remove dead tree branches. Ice and snow, combined with winter winds, can cause limbs to snap, creating a hazard to homes, cars, and passersby.

Clean gutters. Snow and ice can build up quickly, especially if your gutters are clogged with leaves and debris. When thawing begins, the water has nowhere to drain and can back up under your roof and eaves, causing wall and ceiling damage. Consider buying screens to keep your gutters debris-free.

Check your homeowner's insurance policy to make sure coverage is adequate.

During extreme cold weather, power outages, or blizzards, wrap water pipes with newspapers or blankets, each provides additional insulation and can help prevent the pipes from bursting. If you have water pipes on the outside of your residence, surround the pipes with bales of hay so that the outside pipes do not freeze. Never set the thermostat below 55 degrees when your home is unoccupied. Consider draining water pipes before going away, turn off the water heater and main water supply, open all faucets and flush all the toilets, holding the lever down until the tank empties. If well water is used, the pump’s electric switch should be shut off and the pressure tank and system should be drained.

WHEN IT SNOWS: If the snowstorm is severe, stay indoors if at all possible. Don’t jam phone lines -- save them for emergency use. Listen to weather bulletins and information from state and local authorities. Know these winter storm terms:

Winter Storm Outlook: Issued prior to an official Winter Storm Watch issuance. The outlook is given when forecasters believe winter storm conditions are possible; usually issued 48 to 72 hours in advance of a winter storm.

Winter Storm Watch: Alerts the public to favorable conditions for blizzard conditions, heavy snow, significant icing, or a combination of these events. Watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours before the beginning of a winter storm.

Winter Storm Warning: Issued when a combination of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain or heavy sleet is expected to occur. Winter storm warnings are usually issued six to 24 hours before the event is expected.

Heavy Snow Warning: Six inches or more of snow in 24 hours or less or around eight inches or more of snow in 24 hours or less across northern Ohio.

Significant Icing Warning: Usually an ice accumulation of 1/4 inch or more from freezing rain, an accumulation of 1/2 inch or more of sleet, or a combination of freezing rain and sleet.

Blizzard Warning: Issued for sustained or gusty winds of 35 mph or more and falling or blowing snow creating visibility’s below 1/4 mile. These conditions should persist for at least three hours.

Lake Effect Snow Warning: Issued when lake effect snow is expected to accumulate 6 inches or more in 12 hours or less, or eight inches of snow in 24 hours or less.

Winter Weather Advisories: Issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle and sleet which will cause significant inconvenience and moderately dangerous conditions.

Wind Chill Advisory: Issued when severe wind chill temperatures are expected.

Snow Advisory: Three to five inches in 12 hours or less will trigger an advisory for northern Ohio, while two to 3 inches will trigger an advisory in Central and Southern Ohio.

Freezing Rain, Freezing Drizzle Advisory: Any accretion or accumulation up to 1/4 inch.

Blowing and Drifting Snow Advisory: Issued when blowing snow will restrict visibility to 1/4 mile or less and cause significant drifting snow.

Lake Effect Snow Advisory: Issued when 4 or 5 inches of snow is expected to fall over the snow belt of northeast Ohio in 12 hours or less.

Dense Fog Advisory: Issued when widespread fog will reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less.

TRAVEL TIPS: Winterize your car. Get a tune-up to save wear and tear on the battery. Consider snow tires or chains as your travel dictates. Check radiator coolant and sturdiness of hoses and belts. Refer to the car manual to see if a lighter grade oil is recommended for winter driving. Change burned out headlights, tail lights and turn signals. Check that tire tread is 1/16 inch for adequate traction. Make sure brakes are in proper working order. Keep spare window washer fluid in the trunk and make sure the wiper blades are in good working order.

If you’re on the road in winter, pay attention to weather reports and traveler’s advisories. If a severe storm is forecast, don’t travel. Respect winter driving times -- there are only nine hours of daylight driving time in mid-winter, and even less if a storm is imminent. If the road conditions are snowy, please allow extra travel time and notify someone at your destination of your travel route and departure time. Keep all windows clear, inside and out. Keep your tank at least half full. Leave ample stopping time between you and the driver in front of you. Braking distance can be up to nine times greater on snowy, icy surfaces than on dry roads. Don't pump Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS). Apply firm, continuous brake pressure to activate ABS type brakes. If your lock freezes, heat your key. Don't pour hot water on the lock - it'll just refreeze. Prepare an emergency kit for your car and keep it in your trunk. It should include the following:

- Flashlight, battery powered radio and spare batteries

- Pocket knife

- Steel shovel, sand, (oil dry or kitty litter for traction) and a rope or cord for a lifeline in case you get stuck

- Waterproof matches and candles

- Battery and emergency flares

- First Aid kit and necessary prescription medications (a drugstore may be inaccessible during a blizzard) and non-perishable infant formula

- Plastic bags for sanitation

- Small Tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)

- At least two blankets or sleeping bags

- Brightly colored cloth to use as a signal for help

- Bottled water or metal coffee cans to melt snow for drinking

- Two garbage bags to be used as insulation if you have to leave your car

- Charger or spare battery for cell phone or quarters for pay phones

- Jumper cables

- Games and Puzzles

- Extra clothing, particularly overshoes and mittens

- Non-electric can opener and dry food (canned fruits and soups, raisins, candy, peanuts)

IF YOUR STRANDED: Don’t panic and don’t leave your vehicle; your chances for rescue are better if you stay in your vehicle. Have a charged cell phone to call for help. Display some sign that your in trouble; turn on your flashers, light a flare, or tie a bright cloth to your antenna. In case you’re stuck for a long time, run your engine and heater no more than ten minutes every hour and leave a downwind window slightly open for ventilation. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, poisonous gases filter into your car if the pipe is clogged. Use floor mats, seat covers and blankets for added warmth. Keep bottled water in the car.

PREVENTING FROSTBITE: People are exposed to frostnip and frostbite as a result of exposure to extended periods in the cold or extreme cold. Frostbite is an injury to the body caused by freezing body tissue. The most susceptible parts of the body are the extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of the nose. To prevent frostnip or frostbite, keep skin protected by wearing warm, windproof clothing. Make certain that clothing and shoes are loose enough to allow blood to circulate freely.

A person can detect whether frostnip is being experienced, as the skin turns white and waxy looking, though the tissues underneath the skin still remain soft, and is accompanied by slight numbness. Usually a person does not feel any pain at this stage. Frostnip can be reversed, usually without any permanent damage, with firm, steady pressure from a warm hand, blowing on the surface of the skin area, or holding the area against the body will help warm the area. Do not rub the affected area, apply snow or plunge the area into very hot or cold water.

Superficial frostbite can be treated by having the person come in from the cold and rewarming the affected body part. Oftentimes, even with treatment, the affected area will remain permanently red and will experience loss of feeling in the area affected.

Deep frostbite requires prompt medial attention. The affected exposed area must be handled gently and protected while the victim is being transported to a medical facility. If the treatment will be delayed for more than hour, the injured extremity should be immersed in water between 100 - 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The affected body area being immersed in the warm water should not touch the container holding the warm water. The area affected should be slowly warmed.

Hypothermia is when the internal body temperature drops abnormally to 95 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. This situation can result in cardiac problems, respiratory difficulties, and even death. To prevent hypothermia, if outdoors, you should wear layered, warm, loose-fitting clothing, gloves and or mittens, and a hat. Indoors keep living and sleeping areas heated to at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit. A proper diet and regular exercise can also help stave off hypothermia. A person experiencing hypothermia often have the following symptoms: Change in appearance or behavior, uncontrollable shivering, irregular heartbeat, slurred speech, shallow and slow breathing, confusion, memory loss, disorientation, drowsiness, exhaustion, and lack of coordination or sluggishness.

Winter Fire Safety Tips

One of the best ways to protect you and your family from a house fire is by having working smoke detectors in your home. By providing early warning of a fire, smoke detectors add additional seconds that can make the difference between life and death. Install a smoke detector on each level of your home and outside each sleeping area. Test the detectors once a month and change the batteries at least once per year (a good reminder is when we set our clocks backward an hour every October).

Heating Sources: Heating equipment fires are the second leading cause of fire deaths in American homes and the biggest fire culprit December through February. Here are some specific fire prevention tips to keep in mind when heating your home:

PORTABLE AND OTHER SPACE HEATERS: Portable and space heaters can be fueled by electricity, natural gas, liquid or solid fuel. All must be kept at least three feet from anything that can burn, including furniture, bedding, clothing, pets and people. Space heaters should not be left on when you are not in the room or when you go to sleep. Children and pets should be supervised when space heaters are in use. If you are using a kerosene heater, make certain the wick is cleaned and adjusted according to the manufacturer's specifications. Review operating and safety instructions. If you have a liquid-fueled space heater, use fuel recommended by the manufacturer. Never use gasoline or any other substitute fuel because the wrong fuel could cause a serious fire. When refueling, turn off the heater and cool it down before adding fuel. Ensure everyone is aware of the high fire hazard associated with drying clothing or placing combustibles over heaters.

FIREPLACES AND WOOD STOVES: Prior to the start of winter, have your chimney inspected by a professional and cleaned if necessary. Creosote, a chemical substance that forms when wood burns, builds up in chimneys and can cause chimney fires. To reduce the buildup of creosote in your chimney, your should burn only dry, seasoned wood and avoid slow burning, smoky fires. Always use a fireplace screen. Light a fire using only a small quantity of paper and kindling. Never use flammable liquids to kindle a fire. Create a three-foot safety zone around your stove. Keep furniture, clothing and anything else that can burn at least three feet away. Never leave small children in a room where a wood stove is in use. Wood stove users should dispose of ashes in metal containers with tight-fitting lids and set the container only on a noncombustible surface. Never dispose of ashes in a trash container.

HOLIDAY TIME: Ohio averages approximately 10 fires per year that have started from ignited Christmas trees. Follow these holiday prevention tips to help keep your family safe during the holidays:

Holiday Lighting: Be sure candles are placed in sturdy, non-combustible holders and are kept well away from decorations and other combustible materials. Don’t display lighted candles in windows or near exits in case you need these to escape. Under no circumstances is it safe to use candles to decorate Christmas trees. Be sure all candles are extinguished before going to bed. Candles, as well as matches and lighters used to ignite them must be kept far from the reach of children. Inspect your decorative electric light sets. Replace any that are found to have cracks, breaks, or loose wires. Use only light sets labeled for outdoor use outdoors. Check the manufacturer instructions to see how many lights can safely be connected to each other.

Christmas Trees: Choose a fresh tree and put it in a stand designed not to tip. Place the tree away from heat sources and exits, and water it constantly. Most Christmas tree fires happen late in the Christmas season after the trees have dried out. If using a live tree in your home, remove it soon after Christmas before the needles become dry. If you purchase an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire retardant. Replace any frayed or damage cords. Use only battery operated lights if you have a metal Christmas tree, or no lights at all.

Additional safety information can be obtained from the Huron County Emergency Management Agency, 255-B Shady Lane Drive, Norwalk, 663-5772, or by visiting EMA’s website at http://homepages.accnorwalk.com/hcema.

Remember, being prepared can save the lives of you and your family.