{"id":21732,"date":"2024-12-09T14:58:16","date_gmt":"2024-12-09T19:58:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/?p=21732"},"modified":"2024-12-09T14:58:17","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T19:58:17","slug":"winter-safety-at-home-and-on-the-road","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/2024\/12\/09\/winter-safety-at-home-and-on-the-road\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter safety at home and on the road"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

RHHD\u2019s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Ed Porner shares some tips for staying as healthy as possible this winter, no matter what the weather throws your way:<\/p>\n

Rethink drives \u201cover the river and through the woods\u201d as conditions change.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ed says that a lot of us experience \u201cGet-there-itis” over the holidays\u2014we\u2019re reluctant to change our plans when there\u2019s snow, or even worse, ice on the roads. \u201cIt\u2019s so important to know your limits,\u201d he says. Check weather and road conditions before you leave for lengthy trips. If you\u2019re not familiar with driving in the snow, or your vehicle isn\u2019t 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!<\/p>\n

It\u2019s 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\u2019s do our part to keep loved ones and strangers alike safe by arranging a designated driver, making use of rideshares or Richmond\u2019s fare free bus lines, or planning festivities at home.<\/p>\n

Stock those emergency kits.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ed recommends having at least one emergency kit at home and one for your car. Ready.gov has a great list of\u00a0basic kit necessities<\/a>\u00a0and options for making\u00a0low-cost kits<\/a>. It\u2019s also good to start with the specific needs of your family. \u201cIf there\u2019s a baby in the house, make sure there\u2019s formula, diapers, or other items they need Anyone with prescription medications should have a few weeks\u2019 worth,\u201d Ed says. If you freeze or refrigerate breast milk or prescription medication, you\u2019ll want to add a cooler to your kit checklist. Finally,\u00a0\u201cdon\u2019t forget about your pets<\/a>!\u201d<\/p>\n

Know your heat sources.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u00a0carbon monoxide poisoning<\/a>\u00a0or even death:<\/p>\n