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.

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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.

Winter Storm Update via Alert Montgomery

Weather Update
A winter-storm warning is in effect starting at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, March 6th and lasting until 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 7th. This storm is expected to start as rain on Tuesday evening, March 5th, but change over to snow late evening.

Snow totals will vary. Accumulations of 2 – 4 inches Tuesday night and an additional 4 – 6 inches Wednesday are possible. Winds on Wednesday will be out of the NE at 20 – 25 miles per hour (mph) with gusts up to 35 mph.

Preparations
With heavy snow and gusty winds come the potential of tree limbs to come down on power lines. Make sure you have a battery-operated radio and flashlight; extra prescription medication; and charge cell phones or other critical battery-operated equipment.

As a reminder, please stay off the roads during dangerous driving conditions. If you must drive, make sure you have a full tank of gas. Include an emergency kit in your car with extra blankets, some food and water, and a first-aid kit.

Montgomery County Update
Montgomery County will send out periodic updates on the status of county government, school, and transportation via Alert Montgomery. To find information between updates, visit the following:
• Monitor street plow status: http://www5.montgomerycountymd.gov/snowmap/
• Montgomery County Government Status Updates (including RideOn Bus status, trash and recycling collection, and library and recreation center closures): http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov
• MCPS School Closure Information: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/

Important Contact Information
• For non-emergencies, contact Montgomery County Government at 311 or (240)-777-0311
• For emergencies, call 911
• To report power or other utility outages:
PEPCO: 1-877-737-2662
Baltimore Gas and Electric: 1-877-778-2222 or 1-800-685-0123
Potomac Edison (Allegheny Power): 1-800-255-3443
Washington Gas: 1-800-752-7520
WSSC: 1-800-828-4002

Sent to All users (E-mail accounts, Pagers, Cell phones) through Alert Montgomery