Monthly Safety Message: Let’s Get Prepared for Winter



	8200 Old Redwood Highway Windsor, CA 95492-9217	Telephone: (707) 838-1170 Fax: (707) 838-1173

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Monthly Safety Message: Let’s Get Prepared for Winter

Let’s Get Prepared for Winter

As winter and its storms approach, it’s a good time to make sure we have everything we need to handle any power outages, floods, and the like.

In Windsor it is common for there to be sufficient flooding to make the road impassable on Starr Road at Mark West Station Road and Eastside Road at Old Redwood Highway. Other areas are subject to at least minor flooding.

As with any significant event, emergency response resources—fire, police, medical, PG&E, etc.—are often overwhelmed. Therefore you must be able to take care of yourself and your family, sometimes for a day or two if you are in a remote area or if the storm has caused widespread damage.

Here’s what you can do to prepare:

Have plenty of battery-operated lighting available. Try to avoid using candles; instead, purchase a camping lantern that uses light tubes.
Have a flashlight in each room.
Headlamps are great for providing light while allowing you to have both hands free.
Have a battery powered radio that will allow you to listen for storm information and/or alerts.
Have plenty of batteries.
Have plenty of water, especially if you are on a well that does not work when there is no electricity.
Purchase food and gasoline before the storm hits: cash registers, ATMs, gas pumps do not work without electricity.
Secure loose objects on your property—patio furniture, garbage cans, etc.—that may be become projectiles in high winds.
If your property is subject to flooding, get needed sandbags ahead of time and put them in place.

If you are outside during or immediately after a storm, it very important that you remember the following:

NEVER try to drive through flooded portions of any road. It is impossible to tell how deep the water is, and it doesn’t take much for your car to begin to float, which puts you in danger and puts those who have to rescue you in danger.
NEVER go near any downed lines. The most benign looking cable can be deadly. Call 9-1-1. If lines are down near your home, keep your children and pets inside.

These few, simple things will help you be as safe and as comfortable as possible.

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