Winter storm safety

Winter Weather Safety

Carbon Monoxide

• Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that you cannot see, taste or smell.
• Make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector with battery backup on every floor of your house, especially near sleeping rooms.
• Never use a gas range, oven or charcoal grill to heat a home.
• Never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage.
• Never run a generator inside a garage or other enclosed structure, even if the doors or windows are open.
• Only use fuel-burning space heaters in well-ventilated areas
• If CO poisoning is suspected, consult a health care professional right away.

For more information about Carbon Monoxide safety:

CDC

Safe Kids Worldwide

Food Safety

If the Power Goes Out:

• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed and open them only when necessary.
• If power is restored within four hours, items in the refrigerator should be safe to eat. A full freezer should stay at freezing temperatures for up to two days if the door remains constantly closed. A half-full freezer should stay at freezing temperatures for up to one day if the door remains closed.

Once Power is Restored:

• Check the temperature inside your refrigerator and freezer. If it has risen to 45ºF or higher, discard any meat, poultry, fish, dairy and egg products, soft cheese, cooked beans, cooked rice, cooked potatoes, cooked pasta, potato salad, pudding or any other potentially spoiled foods.
• Allow time for the refrigerator to reach below 40ºF before restocking.
• When in doubt, throw it out.

Antifreeze and de-icers

• Antifreeze is a poisonous liquid used in cars. It has a sweet taste. Children and animals like its taste. If even a little is swallowed, it can be harmful.
• Keep antifreeze and all strong chemicals in their original containers and store them up and out of reach of children.

Salt

• If eaten, salt used on driveways and sidewalks in winter can harm a pet or child.
• Store such salt as you would any other poison. Keep it in a sealed, marked container and store it up and out of reach of children.