Ahead of this weekend’s expected storm, the North Attleborough Emergency Advisory Board would like to share safety tips, courtesy of the National Weather Service, for residents to be prepared before, during, and after the storm.
Before a Storm
Community members are encouraged to prepare before a snowstorm to ensure their homes, offices, and vehicles are stocked with necessary supplies.
During a winter storm, community members may experience loss of heat, power, and telephone service and a shortage of supplies if storm conditions continue for more than a day. To ensure that you’re prepared for any of these scenarios, make sure you have the following available:
At Your Home/Work:
- Charge all electronic devices before the storm
- Flashlights with extra batteries or candles
- Extra food and water that require no cooking or refrigeration/shelf-stable food & milk
- Extra prescription medicine and first-aid supplies
- Battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and portable radio to receive emergency information
- Solar-powered battery to charge electronic devices
- Extra pet food and warm shelter for pets
- Baby items such as diapers and formula
- Keep an extra gas canister available as backup for the snowblower
- Check heating oil levels in your tank
If you have a generator at home or your office, ensure that the generator is never running in an enclosed space and is stored somewhere dry away from rain, snow, or wet conditions.
In Your Car:
According to the National Weather Service, more than 5,000 people are killed and more than 418,000 are injured due to weather-related vehicle crashes each year. Community members are encouraged to ensure their car’s fluid levels are full and that the lights, heater and windshield wipers are in proper condition before venturing out during a storm. Community members are also encouraged to have a safety kit with the following:
- Blankets/sleeping bags
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- First-aid kit
- Food and water
- Extra prescription medicine and first-aid supplies
- Extra clothing to keep dry
- A shovel, windshield scraper and brush
During a Storm
Community members should act if caught outside, inside or in their vehicles during a storm.
Those caught outside during a storm should find shelter to stay dry. If there is no shelter nearby, they should find somewhere with cover to protect themselves from the weather. Community members should also move from time to time to keep blood circulating and to keep warm. However, they should avoid overexertion as sweating could lead to chills and hypothermia.
If you must drive during a storm, ensure your car is completely clear of ice or snow before proceeding with caution. Community members should drive slowly to avoid slick or icy roads. If you begin to skid, remain calm, ease your foot off the gas, and turn your wheels in the direction you want the front of the car to go. If you can’t see the road due to weather conditions, pull over to the side and stop somewhere other cars can see you until visibility returns.
If you’re already inside during a storm, stay inside. When using a heating source, ensure its safeguarded and properly ventilated. If your heat goes out, close the doors to unneeded rooms to avoid wasting heat and stuff towels in cracks under doors.
After a Storm
Community members should take several precautions following a winter storm. If you lost power during a storm, check with utility companies to find out when electricity or gas services may be restored. Never use a portable generator inside your home or garage; monitor carbon monoxide levels to ensure they’re safe.
Community members should also tune into local news stations for updated information on road conditions. If you must drive, leave ahead of time to account for blocked, closed or icy roads. Even if roadways have been cleared of snow following a storm, roads may still be dangerous due to black ice.
Snow Removal Safety
According to the American Heart Association, snow removal may put some people at risk of heart attack. To ensure everyone’s safety, the National Safety Council offers the following safety tips for shoveling and snow blowing:
Shoveling Safety:
- Shovel only fresh, powdery snow; it's lighter
- Push the snow with a shovel rather than lifting it
- If you do lift snow, use a small shovel or only partially fill the shovel
- Lift with your legs, not your back
- Know the signs of a heart attack, and stop immediately and call 911 if you're experiencing any of them
Snow Blower Safety:
- If the blower jams, turn it off
- Keep your hands away from the moving parts
- Be aware of the carbon monoxide risk of running a snow blower in an enclosed space
- Never leave it unattended when it is running
Stay Informed
The North Attleborough Emergency Advisory Board is committed to keeping residents up to date with the latest news and information before, during and after storms. Community members can follow along for storm updates on the town website, social media accounts and local news.
Community members can sign up for the Town's emergency alert system, CodeRED, to receive alerts concerning time-sensitive and/or emergency information via CodeRED. Those who sign up can choose how they receive alerts via phone call, text, email or a combination of all three.
To sign up, visit www.nattleboro.com/codeRED.
