Can you believe it? It’s nearly wintertime. In the past, snowstorms and extreme weather have caught us off guard – and this year, we can all plan ahead to be better prepared.
To be safe on the roads, consult the Seattle Department of Transportation’s Winter Weather Response Map. The map will show you where snow plows have been and you can view road conditions via traffic cameras. For those of us who get around by bus, King County Metro will show you your planned Snow Route – just type in your bus route number in the search bar and click Enter on your keyboard. Learn more about what the Seattle Department of Transportation does to prepare for winter weather and who to contact for information by reading SDOT’s incredibly helpful Winter Weather 2013-2014 brochure. And if you’re concerned about other hazards and threats that might threaten your transportation – like flooding – sign up for an email or phone notification from the Regional Public Information & Notification emergency alert system.
On top of being safe while in transit, there are ways we can be safe in our homes. Thanks to Public Health of Seattle & King County for the tips below.
Be careful what you burn. Burning fuels like gasoline, propane, oil, kerosene, natural gas, coal or wood can let off carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal. To be safe and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Only use a generator outside and away from windows and vents
- Don’t use a generator or portable propane heater indoors, in a garage or in a car port
- Don’t cook or head indoors by using a charcoal or gas grill
Carbon monoxide poisoning can feel like a splitting headache, nausea and vomiting, and lethargy and fatigue. If you are experiencing these symptoms, get fresh air immediately and call for medical help from a neighbor’s home.
If you lose power, use different ways to stay warm. Try to stay with friends and family who still have power. Or, go to a city location set up for people without power. To find out where these locations are, visit www.kingcounty.gov/safety/prepare when there’s bad weather – they’ll have the location information listed. If you do stay at home, close all curtains and cover windows and doors with blankets. Everyone should stay together in one room with the door closed to warm each other and the room with body heat. Wear multiple layers of lightweight clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. And don’t forget to put on those hats and mittens!
And please do what you can to help others!
- Check on elderly friends, family members, and neighbors to make sure they are alright.
- Warn others about carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Invite friends and family over if you know they have lost power.
What other tips do you have on how to stay safe and warm this winter?
Filed under: BABES Network, Community Mental Health, Health Care Access, Healthy Birth Outcomes, Women's Health Outreach Tagged: 2014, Bus Route, Community, Education, Family, Flooding, Health, King County, Metro, Public Health, Rain, Safe, Safety, Seattle, Snow, Transportation, Washington, Weather, Winter, Winter Weather
