Sledding 101 - Avoid Landing in the ER

Photo of safe sledding hill

After any kind of significant snow storm, MCFRS personnel are inevitably called to assist injured sledders. In the past, injuries have ranged from minor to very serious. Please take a moment to review the below tips before you and/or your loved ones go sledding today.

Choose the Right Sledding Hill

• When hills get coated with snow, they may all look like great locations for sledding, but be very careful when choosing a location for your kids to sled. Not all hills are safe.
• Select a hill that is not too steep and has a long flat area at the bottom for your kids to glide to a stop.
• Avoid hillsides that end near a street or parking lot. Make sure the bottom of the slope is far from streets, traffic and frozen or partially frozen ponds, lakes or creeks.
• Avoid hillsides that end near ponds, trees, fences, or other hazards.
• Make sure the hill is free of obstacles such as jumps, bumps, rocks, poles, or trees before your kids   begin sledding.
• Choose hills that are snowy rather than icy. Icy slopes make for hard landings if kids fall off a sled.

The Sled

• Use equipment that is sturdy and safely constructed. Avoid equipment with sharp and jagged edges.
• Look for energy-absorbing pads on sled seats.
• Examine handholds on sleds to be sure they are secure.
• Ensure sleds and toboggans have steering devices that work easily and don't jam.
• Only sled feet first while sitting up. Sledding head first can increase the risk of head injury.
• Make your kids wear helmets, particularly if they're 12 or younger. Helmets designed for winter sports work best, but if you don't have one, make sure they at least wear a bike helmet or something similar.
• Never ride in a sled pulled by a motorized vehicle and always sled during the daytime, when visibility is better.

Sledding Feet First!

Wipers On? Headlights On!

From our friends at the MD State Highway Administration: Remember to use low beams when wipers are on. See and be seen. It's the law.

Three Things You Need To Do To Get Ready For Snow Storm

download flyer in pdf format

Three things you need to do to get ready 
for seasonal storms and emergencies:

1. Sign up for Alert Montgomery.

2. Keep these Phone Numbers handy.

• Police/Fire/Ambulance: 911
• Police Non-emergency: 301-279-8000
• County Information & Service: 311

3. Make an Emergency Kit.

Visit montgomerycountymd.gov/snow for more information.

Find the Pedestrian! Where?

Exactly! It's almost rush hour and it's going to especially be challenging for pedestrians. Snow piles can make navigating streets and intersections dangerous for both pedestrians and drivers. Many pedestrians may be difficult to see and crosswalks challenging to navigate. Drivers should take extra care when turning corners with snow piles that may limit visibility.  

Be especially careful around bus stops and transit centers where there is increased pedestrian traffic. 

Post blizzard conditions can mean increased risk for pedestrians. Hats, hoods, earmuffs and scarves can interfere with the ability to see and hear traffic. Make sure your peripheral vision is clear and pay attention and don't be distracted by cell phones. 

Pedestrians should wear brightly colored clothing so drivers can see you, especially in times of poor visibility, and use reflective clothing or stickers for maximum visibility.

While many sidewalks are still not cleared, we remind all pedestrians to do their best to stay off plowed roadways.

If you must walk in the street, walk against the flow of traffic and as close to the curb as you can. Before you step off the curb, make sure oncoming cars and trucks have come to a complete stop. Due to poor road conditions, motorists may have difficulty stopping at traffic signals or slowing down for pedestrians who have the right of way. 


Always be on the lookout for vehicles that may have lost traction and are slipping toward you. Be aware that approaching vehicles may not be able to stop at crosswalks or traffic signals. Streets and parking lots may be temporarily blocked for snow removal operations. Drivers and pedestrians need to yield to snow removal equipment and staying off your phone and focused on the roads could just save your life. 

We made it this far --- let's all work together and make sure everyone gets where they are going safely! 

Find the Pedestrian! Where?

Exactly! It's almost rush hour and it's going to especially challenging for pedestrians. Snow piles can make navigating streets and intersections dangerous for both pedestrians and drivers. Many pedestrians may be difficult to see and crosswalks challenging to navigate. Drivers should take extra care when turning corners with snow piles that may limit visibility.  

Be especially careful around bus stops and transit centers where there is increased pedestrian traffic. 

Post blizzard conditions can mean increased risk for pedestrians. Hats, hoods, earmuffs and scarves can interfere with the ability to see and hear traffic. Make sure your peripheral vision is clear and pay attention and don't be distracted by cell phones. 

Pedestrians should wear brightly colored clothing so drivers can see you, especially in times of poor visibility, and use reflective clothing or stickers for maximum visibility.

While many sidewalks are still not cleared, we remind all pedestrians to do their best to stay off plowed roadways.

We made it this far --- let's all work together and make sure everyone gets where they are going safely! 

Digging Out Your Car? Make Sure You Take Care of This Hidden Danger!

photo of rear of car with tailpipe clear of snow

Prior to starting your vehicle, first make sure that the exhaust pipe is not covered or encased with snow, even if the vehicle is unoccupied and you are just warming it up.

Remember, the snow piled around your car can trap carbon monoxide coming from the exhaust. It can quickly incapacitate you before you realize what's happening. When the tailpipe is blocked, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly carbon monoxide fumes will be forced back into the passenger compartment and could overcome a person in a matter of seconds. 

The very first action you should taking when digging out a vehicle is to clear away the snow from the tailpipe a distance of at least 3 feet and keep checking that it remains clear which you shovel out your car. Never let children sit in an idling car while shoveling. Clear snow from the exhaust pipe and leave the engine off until the car is ready to roll. 

Car re-covered in snow after plow

County residents who park on streets or in apartment and townhouse complexes need to be especially vigilant. Parking conditions are often changing due to the complexity of plow operations and the potential for obstructions to tailpipes/exhaust systems as snow gets relocated and piled up in many parking lots.  Many times, people are returning to different spaces and parking conditions may have been altered by weather, plows, etc. 

Reminder: Never warm up your car in the garage!

Digging Out Your Car? Make Sure You Take Care of This Hidden Danger!

photo of rear of car with tailpipe clear of snow

Prior to starting your vehicle, first make sure that the exhaust pipe is not covered or encased with snow, even if the vehicle is unoccupied and you are just warming it up.

Remember, the snow piled around your car can trap carbon monoxide coming from the exhaust. It can quickly incapacitate you before you realize what's happening. When the tailpipe is blocked, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly carbon monoxide fumes will be forced back into the passenger compartment and could overcome a person in a matter of seconds. 

The very first action you should taking when digging out a vehicle is to clear away the snow from the tailpipe a distance of at least 3 feet and keep checking that it remains clear which you shovel out your car. Never let children sit in an idling car while shoveling. Clear snow from the exhaust pipe and leave the engine off until the car is ready to roll. 

Reminder: Never warm up your car in the garage!

Beware Snow Piles! Not A Playground For Kids!

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service reminds residents of the dangers present with snow piles. With the recent record-breaking snow storms, roadside, driveway and cul-de-sac snow piles are getting bigger, but should remain off limits to children.

Children like to dig tunnels or build forts in piles of snow created by snow plows, but children risk becoming trapped by collapsing snow forts. Unstable walls and tunnels may collapse, trapping and burying a child inside. The weight of the snow collapsing on top of a child can quickly hinder their breathing, making it difficult to call for help and virtually eliminating their chances of self-rescue. The best place for children to play is under close adult supervision.

Three Things You Need To Do To Get Ready For Snow Storm

download flyer in pdf format

Three things you need to do to get ready 
for seasonal storms and emergencies:

1. Sign up for Alert Montgomery.

2. Keep these Phone Numbers handy.

• Police/Fire/Ambulance: 911
• Police Non-emergency: 301-279-8000
• County Information & Service: 311

3. Make an Emergency Kit.

Visit montgomerycountymd.gov/snow for more information.

Sledding Safety

No doubt many kids, and kids at heart, will be out sledding today and tomorrow. MCFRS hopes everyone has a fun and SAFE time doing so!

Parents and caregivers should remember the following tips:

• Make sure terrain is free of obstacles and far from traffic. Children should sled on packed snow (not ice) that is free of debris. Check carefully for snow-covered hazards such as rocks, tree limbs and stumps that could endanger sledders or skiers.
• Use equipment that is sturdy and safely constructed. Avoid equipment with sharp and jagged edges.
• Look for energy-absorbing pads on sled seats.
• Examine handholds on sleds to be sure they are secure.
• Ensure sleds and toboggans have steering devices that work easily and don't jam.

Parents should remind children to:

• Sled only on terrain that is free of obstacles.
• Make sure the bottom of the slope is far from streets, traffic and frozen or partially frozen ponds, lakes or creeks.
• Always use a sled with a steering mechanism. Avoid makeshift sleds.
• Avoid lying flat on the sled while riding down hill. Always sit up with feet forward - lying flat increases the chance of head and abdominal injuries.
• Never ride in a sled pulled by a motorized vehicle.
• Make sure the number of children riding on the sled does not exceed the manufacturer's recommendations.

Ice & Cold Weather Safety Tips

Each year, many residents are injured during the winter months as a result of pedestrian accidents and from exposure in cold water incidents. Skaters fall through the ice; boaters and canoeists overturn their crafts and pedestrians are struck walking in roadways because sidewalks

are snow covered.

Here are a few general guidelines for use by winter recreation enthusiasts to lessen their chances for an icy dip or worse. It's impossible to judge the strength of ice by its appearance, thickness, daily temperature, or snow cover alone. Ice strength is also dependent on water depth under the ice, the size of the water and water chemistry, currents, and distribution of the load on the ice.

THE ONLY "SAFE" ICE IS AT A SKATING ARENA!

WHAT DO YOU DO IF SOMEONE FALLS THROUGH THE ICE?

• Act quickly and call 9-1-1 for help immediately. Make sure properly trained and equipped rescue personnel are alerted to respond.
• DO NOT go out onto the ice. Many times would-be rescuers become victims themselves.
• Reach, Throw, or Row. Extend a branch, pole or ladder to the victim. Throw them a buoyant object such as a life ring or float tied to a rope. If a boat is nearby row out to the victim or push it toward them.

HOW COLD IS COLD WATER?

• Any water that is cooler than normal body temperature (98.6 degrees F) is by definition "cold water"
• Cold water drains away body heat 25 to 30 times faster than air!
• The lower the temperature of the water, the faster the onset of hypothermia.

WHAT IS HYPOTHERMIA?

• Hypothermia is the excessive lowering of body temperature. A drop n core temperature below 95 degrees F., causes shivering, confusion, loss of muscle strength, and if not treated and reversed leads to unconsciousness and death.
• Safety experts estimate that half of all drowning victims die from the fatal effects of hypothermia and cold water, not the fatal effects from water filled lungs.

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

• Slippery driveways and sidewalks can be particularly hazardous in the winter. Keep them well shoveled, and apply materials such as rock salt or sand to improve traction.
• Be especially careful crossing the street and wear appropriate shoes and brightly colored (not white) clothing while walking in snowy conditions.
• Use reflective clothing or stickers for maximum protection, especially at dawn and dusk.

Ice & Cold Weather Safety Tips

Each year, many residents are injured during the winter months as a result of pedestrian accidents and from exposure in cold water incidents. Skaters fall through the ice; boaters and canoeists overturn their crafts and pedestrians are struck walking in roadways because sidewalks

are snow covered.

Here are a few general guidelines for use by winter recreation enthusiasts to lessen their chances for an icy dip or worse. It's impossible to judge the strength of ice by its appearance, thickness, daily temperature, or snow cover alone. Ice strength is also dependent on water depth under the ice, the size of the water and water chemistry, currents, and distribution of the load on the ice.

THE ONLY "SAFE" ICE IS AT A SKATING ARENA!

WHAT DO YOU DO IF SOMEONE FALLS THROUGH THE ICE?

• Act quickly and call 9-1-1 for help immediately. Make sure properly trained and equipped rescue personnel are alerted to respond.
• DO NOT go out onto the ice. Many times would-be rescuers become victims themselves.
• Reach, Throw, or Row. Extend a branch, pole or ladder to the victim. Throw them a buoyant object such as a life ring or float tied to a rope. If a boat is nearby row out to the victim or push it toward them.

HOW COLD IS COLD WATER?

• Any water that is cooler than normal body temperature (98.6 degrees F) is by definition "cold water"
• Cold water drains away body heat 25 to 30 times faster than air!
• The lower the temperature of the water, the faster the onset of hypothermia.

WHAT IS HYPOTHERMIA?

• Hypothermia is the excessive lowering of body temperature. A drop n core temperature below 95 degrees F., causes shivering, confusion, loss of muscle strength, and if not treated and reversed leads to unconsciousness and death.
• Safety experts estimate that half of all drowning victims die from the fatal effects of hypothermia and cold water, not the fatal effects from water filled lungs.

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

• Slippery driveways and sidewalks can be particularly hazardous in the winter. Keep them well shoveled, and apply materials such as rock salt or sand to improve traction.
• Be especially careful crossing the street and wear appropriate shoes and brightly colored (not white) clothing while walking in snowy conditions.
• Use reflective clothing or stickers for maximum protection, especially at dawn and dusk.

Sledding Safety

Many kids, and adults, are going to seek opportunities to go sledding today and over the next few days.  MCFRS wants to remind parents and caregivers of the following safety tips:

• Make sure terrain is free of obstacles and far from traffic. Children should sled on packed snow (not ice) that is free of debris. Check carefully for snow-covered hazards such as rocks, tree limbs and stumps that could endanger sledders or skiers.
• Use equipment that is sturdy and safely constructed. Avoid equipment with sharp and jagged edges.
• Look for energy-absorbing pads on sled seats.
• Examine handholds on sleds to be sure they are secure.
• Ensure sleds and toboggans have steering devices that work easily and don't jam.

Parents should remind children to:

• Sled only on terrain that is free of obstacles.
• Make sure the bottom of the slope is far from streets, traffic and frozen or partially frozen ponds, lakes or creeks.
• Always use a sled with a steering mechanism. Avoid makeshift sleds.
• Avoid lying flat on the sled while riding down hill. Always sit up with feet forward - lying flat increases the chance of head and abdominal injuries.
• Never ride in a sled pulled by a motorized vehicle.
• Make sure the number of children riding on the sled does not exceed the manufacturer's recommendations.

Fire and Rescue Crews Storm Ready

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  March 6, 2013

         Fire and Rescue Crews Storm Ready
                                                      

Montgomery County, MD - - -  Fire and Rescue crews have been preparing since Monday and are ready as a strong winter storm system predicted for the region arrives. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue officials have been coordinating closely with utility and road crews, have increased staffing to meet expected demand and have all available equipment and resources strategically positioned around the County. The department has a team of personnel closely monitoring the storm as projected high winds and heavy, wet snow begins to arrive in the area.

Montgomery County fire officials provide the following tip and are asking residents to plan ahead, be ready and be safe:

- Stay informed by monitoring TV news, radio, the National Weather Service and the internet as storm information is updated throughout the day that may affect you and your family. Sign up for Alert Montgomery at https://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov/register.php to receive text alerts and emergency information. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue social media platforms will be operating at various points throughout the storm however will not be a 24-hour source of timely EMERGENCY information. For this weather event on Twitter, use the hashtag #mocosnow and the  primary platforms used will be:

        -  Fire & Rescue Blog
     - Follow Fire & Rescue on Twitter
     - Like Fire & Rescue on Facebook

- Ensure your cell phones, laptops, ipads, tablets and other important devices are fully charged BEFORE the storm.

- If possible, stay off the roads and heed the advice of local officials. Overall, most winter storm deaths result from vehicle or other transportation accidents caused by ice and snow. Residents should avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain, snow, dense fog and high winds. These are serious conditions that are often underestimated and can make driving, and even walking, very hazardous.

- Stay prepared by getting your emergency preparedness kit out and having a ready supply of essential items (food, water, batteries, flashlights, battery-operated radio, blankets, etc.). 

- Use extreme caution around downed or damaged power lines. Do not remove fallen tree limbs or other debris from power lines, never drive over down lines and treat all wires – even those that are hanging or down – as if they are “live” (energized) and call 911 to report them.

- Do NOT use candles for lighting. Using candles during a power outage poses an extreme risk of fire. Use flashlights or battery-powered lighting options and make sure you have a battery-operated radio to keep up-to-date.

- Fire and Rescue response times may be affected by the extreme weather. It’s a great time to make sure the batteries in your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm are fresh. Test all smoke alarms to ensure they are working. Reach out to your neighbors who may need help, especially those that are elderly, disabled or infirmed. 

- Please only call 911 for emergencies. Crews will be in high demand throughout the storm. If you do not have a life-threatening emergency, call 311 for assistance.

- Pedestrians should wear brightly colored clothing so drivers can see them, especially in times of poor visibility. Use reflective clothing or stickers for maximum visibility

- Shoveling snow can be dangerous to your health. Some winter storms produce enough snow that will make it difficult to shovel, especially for those that have an existing heart condition or anyone over the age of 50. Limit shoveling to only a few minutes at a time, shovel smaller amounts and take frequent breaks. Listen to your body and STOP if you feel pain or experience any warning signs of a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack may include dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, nausea as well as shoulder, neck and arm pain. Always seek medical attention immediately if you believe you are having a medical emergency. 

Fire Chief Richard Bowers is asking residents to help firefighters and clear snow away from fire hydrants. The expected snow accumulations combined with the after-effects of plowing roads may result in many fire hydrants partially or completely buried in snow. By keeping fire hydrants clear of snow, residents can help firefighters to easily locate hydrants and access water quickly, preserving valuable time to potentially save lives and structures.

                                                                     #  #  #

Snow Related Home Safety Tips

To stay safe during today’s snow/winter weather event, the women and men of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue encourages residents to:

v  Make certain all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly.

v  Keep space heaters at least three feet from other objects and never leave space heaters

unattended.

v  During a power outage, use flashlights as lighting sources and avoid using lit candles.

v  Never use generators or gas grills inside the garage or residence as they produce

deadly carbon monoxide gas.

v  Place fireplace ashes outside in a metal container with a secure lid that is at least 15 feet from a structure.

v  Keep fire hydrants on your property clear of snow, ensure that you have at least two

     clear exits out of your house and make sure your address is visible. A few minutes of

your time to help clear the snow will help emergency responders to better assist you in

the event of an emergency.

v  Make sure you have at least two clear exits out of your house. Keep an eye on snow

build up. When the snow melts and refreezes, it could prevent you from being able to

open the door and exit from your house.

v  Businesses are also reminded to clear the areas around emergency exits to ensure their customers can exit safely in an emergency.

SNOW - Stay off the Roads, Not Out in the Weather

Overall, most winter storm deaths result from vehicle or other transportation accidents caused by ice and snow. Residents should avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow, or dense fog. These are serious conditions that are often underestimated, and they make driving – and even walking outside – very hazardous.

It is safer for everyone if you stay put – and not travel during inclement weather – whether you are at home, work or school.

By staying off the roads during the worst of the weather, local departments of transportation are more easily able to access roads that need treatment, snow plows can more freely clear roads and get to areas needing plowing and public safety officials can respond more quickly to residents in need of emergency services.

It may require employees to take a couple of hours of personal leave during the winter, but leaving early enough to avoid bad weather and traffic gridlock caused by slippery road conditions is worth the investment. Thinking strategically about your travel and where you really need to be will require some planning and thought. 

“Get Where You Need to be Before the Weather Gets Bad”

Do NOT Travel During Winter Storms

• Curtail “elective” travel; avoid unnecessary travel. If it is not a life safety issue, stay off the roads.
• If you don’t have to travel… don’t! The safest place during a winter storm is indoors. About 70 percent of deaths related to ice and snow occur in automobiles.
• Stay at the office an extra hour, or leave early, to avoid travel during a winter storm.
• If residents stay off the roads during a storm, transportation workers and public safety officials are better able to clear roadways and respond to emergency needs quicker.

Weather Changes Quickly 

• Be prepared for the worst. Be ready to spend an extra hour at the office, or leave an hour or two early, to avoid a more time consuming commute home during the height of a storm.
• Have an emergency supply kit in your office and car.

Listen to Local Officials 

• If local officials advise residents to stay off the roads – then stay off the roads.
• Public safety and emergency management officials, along with National Weather Service meteorologists, base travel advisories and guidance on weather forecasts. Heed their advice!
• Businesses that follow closing/delay policies from local jurisdictions or the federal Office of Personnel Management need to monitor those sources and release employees when advised.

Monitor the Weather 

• Listen to local Radio/TV weather forecasts; monitor social media.
• Sign up for text alerts from your local government.
• Sign up for weather alerts from NOAA/National Weather Service, including RSS feeds of your forecast and weather watches/warnings.
• Purchase a NOAA weather radio for your home and office. NOAA Weather Radio is the prime alerting and critical information delivery system of the National Weather Service (NWS). NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day.

Know the Emergency Plans for your Children’s School 

• If your child is safe at school, why risk a traffic accident during the worst weather to reach him/her, and then put all of you in danger? Let the school system implement their emergency plan, stay off the road and let transportation crews clear the roadways.

About the National Capital Region (NCR)

The National Capital Region (NCR) is not an operational entity because emergency response is a local function. Because the NCR is a collection of sovereign jurisdictions, including cities, counties, states and the District of Columbia, this website and the efforts of the region's communicators and public information officers will focus on regional collaboration between the region’s homeland security partners to achieve a “safe and secure National Capital Region.”

SNOW - Stay off the Roads, Not Out in the Weather

Overall, most winter storm deaths result from vehicle or other transportation accidents caused by ice and snow. Residents should avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow, or dense fog. These are serious conditions that are often underestimated, and they make driving – and even walking outside – very hazardous.

It is safer for everyone if you stay put – and not travel during inclement weather – whether you are at home, work or school.

By staying off the roads during the worst of the weather, local departments of transportation are more easily able to access roads that need treatment, snow plows can more freely clear roads and get to areas needing plowing and public safety officials can respond more quickly to residents in need of emergency services.

It may require employees to take a couple of hours of personal leave during the winter, but leaving early enough to avoid bad weather and traffic gridlock caused by slippery road conditions is worth the investment. Thinking strategically about your travel and where you really need to be will require some planning and thought.

“Get Where You Need to be Before the Weather Gets Bad”

Do NOT Travel During Winter Storms

• Curtail “elective” travel; avoid unnecessary travel. If it is not a life safety issue, stay off the roads.
• If you don’t have to travel… don’t! The safest place during a winter storm is indoors. About 70 percent of deaths related to ice and snow occur in automobiles.
• Stay at the office an extra hour, or leave early, to avoid travel during a winter storm.
• If residents stay off the roads during a storm, transportation workers and public safety officials are better able to clear roadways and respond to emergency needs quicker.

Weather Changes Quickly

• Be prepared for the worst. Be ready to spend an extra hour at the office, or leave an hour or two early, to avoid a more time consuming commute home during the height of a storm.
• Have an emergency supply kit in your office and car.

Listen to Local Officials

• If local officials advise residents to stay off the roads – then stay off the roads.
• Public safety and emergency management officials, along with National Weather Service meteorologists, base travel advisories and guidance on weather forecasts. Heed their advice!
• Businesses that follow closing/delay policies from local jurisdictions or the federal Office of Personnel Management need to monitor those sources and release employees when advised.

Monitor the Weather

• Listen to local Radio/TV weather forecasts; monitor social media.
• Sign up for text alerts from your local government.
• Sign up for weather alerts from NOAA/National Weather Service, including RSS feeds of your forecast and weather watches/warnings.
• Purchase a NOAA weather radio for your home and office. NOAA Weather Radio is the prime alerting and critical information delivery system of the National Weather Service (NWS). NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day.

Know the Emergency Plans for your Children’s School

• If your child is safe at school, why risk a traffic accident during the worst weather to reach him/her, and then put all of you in danger? Let the school system implement their emergency plan, stay off the road and let transportation crews clear the roadways.

About the National Capital Region (NCR)

The National Capital Region (NCR) is not an operational entity because emergency response is a local function. Because the NCR is a collection of sovereign jurisdictions, including cities, counties, states and the District of Columbia, this website and the efforts of the region's communicators and public information officers will focus on regional collaboration between the region’s homeland security partners to achieve a “safe and secure National Capital Region.”

SNOW - Stay off the Roads, Not Out in the Weather

While the forecast for tomorrow is still a bit unsure, it appears to be a good time to provide some friendly safety tips as it relates to snow!  Yep, I used that dreaded four letter word!

Anyway, the below is from our partners in safety in the National Capital Region of which we are a part.  A great collaboration of all the jurisdictions in the metro area in an effort to provide consistent across the board (region) safety tips.

So while the storm could turn into a dud, it has the potential to leave us with a significant accumulation so better plan for the worst and be READY and prepared! 

Stay Safe,

Bill D 

Overall, most winter storm deaths result from vehicle or other transportation accidents caused by ice and snow. Residents should avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow, or dense fog. These are serious conditions that are often underestimated, and they make driving – and even walking outside – very hazardous.

It is safer for everyone if you stay put – and not travel during inclement weather – whether you are at home, work or school.

By staying off the roads during the worst of the weather, local departments of transportation are more easily able to access roads that need treatment, snow plows can more freely clear roads and get to areas needing plowing and public safety officials can respond more quickly to residents in need of emergency services.

It may require employees to take a couple of hours of personal leave during the winter, but leaving early enough to avoid bad weather and traffic gridlock caused by slippery road conditions is worth the investment. Thinking strategically about your travel and where you really need to be will require some planning and thought.

“Get Where You Need to be Before the Weather Gets Bad”

Do NOT Travel During Winter Storms

• Curtail “elective” travel; avoid unnecessary travel. If it is not a life safety issue, stay off the roads.
• If you don’t have to travel… don’t! The safest place during a winter storm is indoors. About 70 percent of deaths related to ice and snow occur in automobiles.
• Stay at the office an extra hour, or leave early, to avoid travel during a winter storm.
• If residents stay off the roads during a storm, transportation workers and public safety officials are better able to clear roadways and respond to emergency needs quicker.

Weather Changes Quickly

• Be prepared for the worst. Be ready to spend an extra hour at the office, or leave an hour or two early, to avoid a more time consuming commute home during the height of a storm.
• Have an emergency supply kit in your office and car.

Listen to Local Officials

• If local officials advise residents to stay off the roads – then stay off the roads.
• Public safety and emergency management officials, along with National Weather Service meteorologists, base travel advisories and guidance on weather forecasts. Heed their advice!
• Businesses that follow closing/delay policies from local jurisdictions or the federal Office of Personnel Management need to monitor those sources and release employees when advised.

Monitor the Weather

• Listen to local Radio/TV weather forecasts; monitor social media.
• Sign up for text alerts from your local government.
• Sign up for weather alerts from NOAA/National Weather Service, including RSS feeds of your forecast and weather watches/warnings.
• Purchase a NOAA weather radio for your home and office. NOAA Weather Radio is the prime alerting and critical information delivery system of the National Weather Service (NWS). NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day.

Know the Emergency Plans for your Children’s School

• If your child is safe at school, why risk a traffic accident during the worst weather to reach him/her, and then put all of you in danger? Let the school system implement their emergency plan, stay off the road and let transportation crews clear the roadways.

About the National Capital Region (NCR)

The National Capital Region (NCR) is not an operational entity because emergency response is a local function. Because the NCR is a collection of sovereign jurisdictions, including cities, counties, states and the District of Columbia, this website and the efforts of the region's communicators and public information officers will focus on regional collaboration between the region’s homeland security partners to achieve a “safe and secure National Capital Region.”

Inclement Weather Driving

I thought I would pass along some great tips I found on the Triple A Mid-Atlantic web site. The tips are related to driving though they also go into other important areas such as having an emergency kit for your car as well as inclement weather driving vehicle maintenance checklist.

Go here to learn more: Inclement Weather Driving

So please take a moment to review and prepare. Let’s not have you or your loved ones meet our fire and rescue personnel by “accident” any time soon!

Stay Safe,

Bill

Let's Not Meet by "Accident!"

While we should not be impacted with snow of epic proportions, like last year, I thought I would pass along some great tips I found on the Triple A Mid-Atlantic web site. The tips are related to driving though they also go into other important areas such as having an emergency kit for your car as well as inclement weather driving vehicle maintenance checklist.

Go here to learn more: Inclement Weather Driving

So please take a moment to review and prepare. Let’s not have you or your loved ones meet our fire and rescue personnel by “accident” any time soon!

Stay Safe,

Bill