Be Prepared

Friday, 21 November 2014 05:57

Woodstock Fire Department want to make sure everyone is prepared both at home and in their vehicle.

WOODSTOCK - As many residents in Buffalo have likely realized, it's best to be prepared for anything this winter.

Woodstock Fire is taking the opportunity to remind residents about the importance of a 72 hour emergency kit.

Public Information Officer Lisa Woods says before heading on the road this winter you should make sure you have an emergency kit as well as a full tank of gas and fully charged cell phone. "A shovel and an ice scraper, a blanket to keep warm, extra clothing and shoes. If you're out digging in the snow, you're going to get cold. Road flairs -- just in case -- if it is white out conditions, you want people to know you're there. We don't want another collision to come in behind you. Gloves, sand, salt or kitty litter, deicer, windshield washer fluid and jumper cables."

Woods says even people with four wheel drive vehicles should be prepared as you never know when you could be stranded on the highway.

The roadway isn't your only danger. Woods says when the snow hits the ground, a carbon monoxide alarm is a must. "You can see today -- that wind and the snow is blowing around so we want to make sure people are keeping their vents clear because it may not be accumulating on the ground in high amounts but it may blow into your vents and when those vents are blocked, the carbon monoxide gets backed up into your home so make sure those vents are cleared as well as the hydrants." Woods says if you are unable to clean around your hydrant you need to contact the Fire Department and someone will come out and do it for you.

Speaking of your home, she says you need a 72 hour kit for there as well complete with can food, "three litres of water per person, if you have medications have a list of your medications of course, a radio -- crank or battery operated so you can find out from the local news stations what's going on, how long you can expect to be there. A First Aid kit, candles or matches or lighters."

A full list of supplies can be found here.