CLEVELAND — If you've lived in Northeast Ohio for any amount of time, you are very familiar with terms like 'winter storm warning,' 'blizzard,' and 'extreme cold.' But as our area deals with another blast of snowy and icy weather, we have put together a guide with useful reminders and helpful information for a variety of potential issues that you may encounter.
Getting your car ready for the wintry conditions
As far as being out on the roads during the storm, AAA's Jim Garrity told our Brandon Simmons, "if you don't have to go anywhere, don't. Stay home if you can."
But if you do choose to drive, AAA put together the following list of items to have in your car in case of an emergency:
- Some type of shovel to dig yourself out
- An ice scraper
- Rock salt to get some traction
- If you're still stuck, you want to have blankets, water, and non-perishable food items to tide you over while you're hunkered down.
The most important preparation for your car in this weather is to make sure you have at least a half tank of gas.
Safe driving tips from the Ohio State Highway Patrol
Prepare your vehicle for winter driving by ensuring that your battery, cooling system, tires, wipers, and defrosters are in good condition and working properly.
Most importantly, DRIVE SLOWLY. Everything from accelerating, to turning, to braking, takes longer on snow-covered roads. Give yourself time to maneuver by slowing down.
"Make sure you’re keeping an extra distance between yourself and the cars in front of you," advises OSHP Sgt. Ray Santiago. "If you find yourself in a situation where you are actually starting to slip, don’t slam on the brakes and turn sharply. Just simply let off the accelerator and steer the vehicle in the direction you want to go. It’s better to hit a snowbank than hit another vehicle.”
Getting your home ready for freezing temperatures
Protecting your home from frozen pipes
When temperatures dip during the winter, frozen pipes could be a concern for your home – but there are ways to prevent your property from disaster.
Dominion Energy suggests the following tips to help your family avoid frozen pipes:
- Let water from your faucet drip. A trickle of water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing.
- Open cabinet doors. This allows any heat to travel to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
- Or you may choose to shut off the water and drain the water system. Be aware that if you have a fire protection sprinkler system, it may be de-activated when you shut off the water.
What happens if your power goes out?
FirstEnergy customers can call their 24-hour Outage Reporting Line, 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877), report your outage online, or report your outage via text message. Text REG to 544487 (LIGHTS) to get started. You can view current outages on FirstEnergy's 24/7 Power Center outage maps.
Cleveland Public Power customers can call (216) 664-3156 to report outages.
Here are some useful tips to prepare for a possible outage:
- Keep cellphones charged and backup chargers fully charged.
- Use power strips to help protect electronic devices in case of a power outage. Consider using external power sources for your electronics.
- Assemble a storm preparation kit with flashlights, fresh batteries, snacks, water and other necessities. Make sure everyone in your home knows where to find it.
- Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed, if possible. Food will stay good up to four hours.
- NEVER operate a generator inside your home.
- Do not use candles around pets or small children and never leave burning candles unattended.
- Do not drive over or go near a downed power line, it could be energized. Report downed lines immediately to your local power company.
Where to find a portable generator
- Menards on Brookpark Road in Cleveland
- Home Depot in North Olmsted
- Home Depot in Rocky River
- Home Depot in Cleveland (Berea Rd. on city's west side)
- Home Depot at Steelyard Commons
- Lowe's in Willoughby
- Lowe's in Mentor
- Lowe's in Bedford Heights
- Lowe's in Stow
Tips to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
Kidde, a major manufacturer of fire and carbon monoxide safety products, has also put out a list of tips to avoid CO poisoning. Kidde says the risk of CO poisoning increases when temperatures plunge and home heating systems run for longer than usual. Many people rely on portable generators and alternative power sources in the wake of storm-induced power outages. These portable generators’ engines can emit as much CO as approximately 100 cars.
Some of Kidde's tips include:
- Practice generator safety. Only use generators outdoors in a well ventilated area. Never refuel a generator while it is still running.
- Regularly inspect appliances. CO sources include natural gas, kerosene, propane, coal and gasoline. Have appliances checked regularly to ensure they're properly installed and not malfunctioning.
- Know the signs of CO poisoning. CO poisoning can feel “flu like” and can be easily overlooked. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning in people include things like headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. In pets, initial symptoms include nausea/vomiting, dizziness, or labored breathing, among others. If you suspect CO in your home, evacuate immediately and call 911.
- Install CO alarms throughout the home. CO can travel anywhere in the home – even through drywall – so most often, one alarm is not enough. It's best to install CO alarms throughout the entire home with at least one on every level, and consider including in living areas, bedrooms and hallways outside sleeping areas.
- Replace alarms after 7-10 years, depending on the model. While testing alarms once a week and ensuring batteries are replaced are critical steps, replacing every CO alarm at a minimum of 7-10 years an every smoke alarm a minimum 10 years is paramount. In case you cannot remember the date you installed your alarms, simply check the manufacturing date – commonly located on the back of the alarm – and add 7-10 years, depending on the model. Please check your manufacturer user guide.
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