NEWS RELEASE: Don’t Be Left Out in the Cold – Prepare for Winter Weather

(ATLANTA)—As a wave of cold air rolls across the state, many parts of Georgia, especially north Georgia, face chilly temperatures and the possibility of snow. Because Georgia is not usually prone to extreme snow and ice, even small amounts can cause severe problems.

Regrettably, dozens of people die each year due to exposure to cold weather across the country. National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists consider winter weather a “deceptive killer” because most deaths relate indirectly to these storms. In fact, 70 percent of ice and snow-related injuries result from automobile accidents. Extreme cold can also cause frostbite, which damages body tissue, and hypothermia, which occurs when the body temperature drops below 95 degrees. Both can cause serious injury or even death.

Be ready when severe winter weather threatens. A key part of preparedness involves having a Ready kit that contains the supplies individuals and families need to survive for a minimum of three days. It contains bottled water, non-perishable foods for your family and pets, sleeping bags or bedding, extra clothes, medicine, flashlights, a battery-powered NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, and a manual can opener.

• It is also wise to consider having at least two emergency supply kits, one full kit at home and a smaller kit in your vehicle.

• For your car, you should have some extra water and non-perishable food, warm blankets, extra clothes and gloves, jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, first aid kit, and a bag of abrasive material, such as sand, salt or cat litter, for added traction if you get stuck on the road.

• For a complete list of items or to create a custom personal profile that will detail all of the supplies, contact numbers and meeting places for you and your family, visit www.ready.ga.gov.

• Also, have a mechanic fully winterize your vehicle, keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid condensation or ice in the tank and fuel lines. Check your tire pressure, battery voltage, belts, hoses, spark plugs, engine coolant, and oil level.

• Make sure your pets have a warm, dry place to stay, with plenty of food and water. In addition, make sure your home is well insulated. Put weather stripping around your doors and windows, insulate pipes and allow faucets to drip a little during below freezing weather to avoid frozen pipes and open cabinet doors to allow heat to warm non-insulated pipes underneath sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

• When roads are icy, stay put if the you don’t need to go out. If you must drive, slow down, don’t tailgate, and keep both hands on the wheel. If you lose control, don’t slam on your brakes. If you start to spin, steer in the direction of the spin until your vehicle comes to a stop.

For more information on GEMA, visit www.gema.ga.gov. To learn how to prepare for disaster and create a custom kit and plan, visit www.ready.ga.gov. Follow GEMA at www.twitter.com/georgiaema, www.facebook.com/gema.ohs, and www.youtube.com/ReadyGAfromGEMA.

About Ready Georgia

Ready Georgia is a statewide campaign designed to educate and empower Georgians to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks, potential terrorist attacks and other large-scale emergencies. The campaign is a project of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and provides a local dimension to Ready America, a broader national campaign. Ready Georgia aims to prepare citizens for maintaining self-sufficiency for at least 72 hours following an emergency, and uses an interactive website, free mobile app, broadcast and print advertising and public awareness media messaging to reach its audiences. Ready Georgia is also on Facebook and YouTube.