Information

 


 

NEWSLETTER FROM THE MONROE TOWNSHIP OFFICE OF
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 

WINTER WEATHER

 

New Jersey winters, which can bring extreme cold, heavy snow, ice, sleet and freezing rain, can pose serious hazards.

Winter weather kills hundreds of people in the U.S. each year, primarily due to traffic accidents, fires from improper use of heaters, overexertion, and exposure.  Additionally, threats such as hypothermia and frostbite can lead to lose of fingers and toes or cause permanent injury to vital organs.

Nor’easters – coastal storms that combine typical winter storm hazards with high winds and coastal flooding – can knock out power, flood homes and roads, and cause a variety of structural damage.

It’s important to prepare for winter weather-related dangers. There are several steps you can take to stay safe before, during, and after winter storms.

Winterizing your home and vehicle, supplementing your Go Bag with warm outerwear, and ensuring your Emergency Supply Kit is fully stocked are just some of the preparations you should consider making before winter sets in.

Prepare for Winter’s Arrival

  • Make sure your Household Disaster Plan is ready and all members of your household are familiar with how to contact one another in an emergency.
  • Your Emergency Supply Kit should be fully stocked to allow you to sustain yourself for up to three days without power, or in the event you are unable to travel far from home. You may want to include additional items such as extra blankets, additional warm clothing, and a battery operated NOAA Weather Radio to monitor weather conditions during a storm.

 

Winterize Your Home

  • If necessary, install storm shutters, doors and windows.  Clean out gutters; repair any roof leaks and have a contractor check the stability of your roof in the event of a large accumulation of snow.
  • Insulate walls and attic. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows. If necessary, cover windows with plastic from the inside.
  • Have safe emergency heating equipment available.  For residents with functional fireplaces, keep an ample supply of wood. If you utilize portable electric space heaters, keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
  • Install and check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Make sure you have sufficient heating fuel; you may have difficulty obtaining it in the immediate aftermath of a bad storm.
  • Service snow removal equipment and have rock salt on hand to melt ice on walkways. Kitty litter can be used to generate temporary traction.

 

Winterize Your Car

Before winter sets in, have a mechanic check the following items on your vehicle:

  • Battery
  • Antifreeze
  • Windshield wipers and washer fluid
  • Ignition system
  • Thermostat
  • Lights (headlamps and hazard lights)
  • Exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster
  • Oil level

 

Install good winter tires that have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions.

Regardless of the season it’s a good idea to prepare for an in-car emergency.  Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit for you vehicle, and consider adding the following items:

  • Blankets
  • Mittens, socks, scarves and hat, raingear and extra clothes
  • Sack of sand or kitty litter for gaining under wheels and a small shovel
  • Set of tire chains or traction mats
  • Working jack and lug wrench, spare tire
  • Windshield scraper and broom
  • Small tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)
  • Jumper/Booster cables
  • Brightly covered cloth to use as a flag, flares or reflective triangles

 

What To Do Before A Storm Strikes

  • Listen to NOAA Weather Radio and your local TV stations for updated storm information.
  • Check on relatives, friends and neighbors who may need assistance preparing for a storm.
  • Be alert to changing weather conditions and avoid unnecessary travel.
  • Let faucets drip a little to help prevent freezing.
  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.