Last Updated: December 9, 2024
Public health cares about residents living healthy, long lives. That means that we focus on illness, but we also pay attention to injury and community safety. In the winter, residents can face bad road conditions, cold temperatures, and power outages that make daily activities less safe.
RHHD’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Ed Porner shares some tips for staying as healthy as possible this winter, no matter what the weather throws your way:
Rethink drives “over the river and through the woods” as conditions change.
Ed says that a lot of us experience “Get-there-itis” over the holidays—we’re reluctant to change our plans when there’s snow, or even worse, ice on the roads. “It’s so important to know your limits,” he says. Check weather and road conditions before you leave for lengthy trips. If you’re not familiar with driving in the snow, or your vehicle isn’t built for extreme weather, consider delaying. And remember that a wet day with a cold overnight is a recipe for icy streets the next day!
It’s also important to check for any possible impairment before you start driving. Impairment can include drowsy, distracted, drugged, or drunk driving. Traffic crashes are preventable, so let’s do our part to keep loved ones and strangers alike safe by arranging a designated driver, making use of rideshares or Richmond’s fare free bus lines, or planning festivities at home.
Stock those emergency kits.
Ed recommends having at least one emergency kit at home and one for your car. Ready.gov has a great list of basic kit necessities and options for making low-cost kits. It’s also good to start with the specific needs of your family. “If there’s a baby in the house, make sure there’s formula, diapers, or other items they need Anyone with prescription medications should have a few weeks’ worth,” Ed says. If you freeze or refrigerate breast milk or prescription medication, you’ll want to add a cooler to your kit checklist. Finally, “don’t forget about your pets!”
Know your heat sources.
In the event of freezing temperatures or power outages, Ed wants people to stay warm, but to stay warm safely. Sometimes, a heat source that feels good in the moment can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning or even death:
- Avoid using stovetop burners or an oven to heat your home.
- Keep generators outdoors and separate from the house.
- Use candles instead of your car’s heating system to warm yourself if you’re stranded. Ed explains that if snowfall blocks your tailpipe, fumes can enter the car. “Add a couple candles and a lighter to your emergency kit,” he says.
- Know about your nearest Inclement Weather Shelter or warming center. “Richmond and Henrico both have great plans for how they’ll open warming centers when it gets really cold,” Ed says. Keep an eye on your locality’s announcements for options near you.
Emergency Preparedness and the whole RHHD staff wish you a warm, safe, and healthy December!