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Dear Public Safety Community:

Winter is near, and in recognition of Winter Weather Awareness Month (February 1-28, 2017) the Cuyahoga County Office of Emergency Management (CCOEM) would like to share ways to be safe and healthy in the winter weather.

Please share these safe and healthy tips with residents, family and friends. Information will also be posted on the CCOEM Social Media Pages (Facebook and Twitter) throughout the month.

Home Heating Systems

• Have your heating system serviced professionally to make sure it is clean, working properly and ventilated to the outside.
• Inspect and clean fire places and chimneys
• Install a smoke detector. Test batteries monthly
• Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuel available

Get your car ready for cold weather

• Service the radiator and maintain antifreeze level: check tire tread or, replace tires with all-weather or snow tires.
• Keep gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.

Items to keep in emergency kit for car

• Blankets
• Food and water
• Booster cables, flares, tire pump and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction)
• Compass and maps
• Flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Plastic bags (for sanitation)

When traveling

• Avoid traveling when the weather service has issues advisories
• If you must travel, inform a friend or relative of your proposed route and expected time of arrival

Follow these safety rules if you become stranded in your car

• Stay with your car unless safety is no more than 100 yards away, but continue to move arms and legs
• Stay visible by putting bright cloth on the antenna, turning on the inside overhead light (when engine is running and raising the hood when snow stops falling
• Run the engine and heater only 10 minutes every hour
• Keep a downwind window open

Consider purchasing a NOAA Weather Radio, which provides an audible alarm when the National Weather Service issues a severe weather warning. Sign up for ReadyNotify to receive information on possible county office closures and severe weather warnings.

Check out the Office of Emergency Management’s ReadyCuyahoga website for Fact Sheets, links, and other information on keeping safe during hazardous weather. People are also encouraged to sign up for ReadyNotify for community and county alerts for weather and emergency notifications as well as other types of news.

The following fact sheets are also available by clicking the links below:

Build a Kit
ReadyNotify
Skywarn Flyer
Snow Storms &Extreme Cold