Community Corner
Safety Tips for Extreme Weather
Enviro-Log, Inc., a Fitzgerald, Ga.-based leader in eco-friendly products for home heating and outdoor activities, urges households to prepare for extreme winter weather by following important safety tips that can help protect family members.
“Every family should be prepared for extreme winter weather which could result in loss of power and utilities at home for an extended period of time or becoming stranded in your vehicle along the roadside,” said Ross McRoy, president of Enviro-Log, Inc. “It is important to make sure all family members know what to do in these situations and have access to emergency kits stored in homes and vehicles in times of need. Too often people don’t think about preparing until after the situation has occurred and they underestimate how long it will take for help to arrive.”
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McRoy stresses some key essentials to make difficult situations more manageable.
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Have an emergency kit in your house.
At least one gallon of water per person per day for at least 10 days, for drinking and sanitation
10 day supply minimum of non-perishable food and a manual can opener
A battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, and extra batteries
A flashlight and extra batteries
A lighter, flint or waterproof matches for starting fires
Candles
Manufactured firelogs* or firewood to be used for home heating and cooking (*only brands approved for cooking)
A first-aid kit
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
A laminated area map and compass
A cell phone with an extra battery
A hand-crank light with solar charger and cell phone charger adapter
A land-line phone that operates without electrical power
Any special-needs items for children, seniors or people with disabilities
Water, food and supplies for your pets
Supply of critical medicines and prescriptions
Carry a survival kit in your vehicle.
A first-aid kit
Thermal blankets or sleeping bags
A cell phone with an extra battery
A hand-crank light with solar charger and cell phone charger adapter
A windshield scraper with snow brush
Flashlight with batteries
Extra winter clothes including shoes, hats, gloves and hand warmers
Survival knife
Compact shovel
Traction aids (bag of sand or cat litter) and tow chain
Emergency flares
Jumper cables
Non-perishable food and bottled water
A laminated road map
A transportable non-restrictive heat source such as manufactured firelogs (firewood cannot be transported by law in some locations)
A non-liquid firestarter and waterproof matches
Any special-needs items for children, seniors or people with disabilities, who might be travelling with you
Water and supplies for any pets travelling with you
McRoy also encourages families to use extra caution and follow proper safety guidelines when operating portable generators. McRoy recommends Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines on proper generator use, which can be found at: http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/portable_generator_safety.pdf
For additional information on preparing for extreme winter weather, please visit:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/guide.asp
Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) -- www.ready.gov/winter-weather
Red Cross – www.redcross.org/
Enviro-Log is an eco-friendly, consumer products and recycling company headquartered in Fitzgerald, Ga. Enviro-Log is the largest waxed cardboard recycler in North America and the third largest producer of manufactured firelogs in the U.S. Its firelogs are made of 100 percent recycled materials and burn cleaner than wood while providing 50 percent more heat per pound. Enviro-Log products are available at select national retail locations including, Home Depot, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Ace Hardware, Weis Markets, as well as many regional retailers throughout the U.S. More information on Enviro-Log can be found at www.enviro-log.net or by calling (866)343-6847.