Winter is just around the corner, and it’s important that everyone be prepared.
We recently spoke with the Emergency Manager for Effingham County, Pam Jacobs, about being prepared for winter and what you can do to get prepared. According to Jacobs, it is important that everyone winterize their homes and vehicles. When winterizing your home, Jacobs stresses having non-perishable food and water, a hand-operated can opener, a flashlight, battery-operated radio, medication, and pet care items on hand. She also said to make sure that all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries in them. Additionally, if you plan to use a secondary heat source, Jacobs stresses that you read the operating manual before a storm hits so that you can safely operate it should a storm hit. If you do not have an alternate heat source, Jacobs suggests checking with family and friends to see if you could stay with them if our area was to have an extended power outage.
Also, Jacobs talked about the importance of winterizing your vehicle. When making an emergency preparedness kit for your car, Jacobs suggests packing a phone charger for your mobile phone, blankets or sleeping bags, an ice/snow scraper, extra clothes, non-perishable food and water, flashlights, sand or cat litter, and a shovel. Additionally, Jacobs wanted to remind everyone to take your vehicle in to a mechanic prior to winter and have all the fluids, brakes, and the battery checked. She also stated to top-off your gas tank and always clear you tail pipe. She also stressed the importance of making sure someone knows where you are traveling to, so that if you were to get stranded, they could look for you.
For additional information on winter weather preparedness, visit the Effingham EMA website at www.co.effingham.il.us/emergencymanagement or call 217-540-1669. The full interview with Pam Jacobs can be heard below.
Part 1 of the interview with Pam Jacobs.
Part 2 of the interview with Pam Jacobs.