MANSFIELD, Ohio – As colder weather approaches so does the possibility of severe winter weather and emergency situations.
That’s why Richland County Emergency Management Agency Director Mike Bailey said people need to be “aware and prepared” before any potential inclement weather strikes.
“Being prepared is a big thing,” he said. “That certainly helps us and all the first-responders.
“If I know you are able – not that we’re not going to take care of you – but if you’re able to help yourself survive by listening and paying attention to what’s going on around you and preparing yourself, it could save other lives.”
While terms such as “Polar Vortex” and “Arctic Blast” have been uttered all too often the past two years, the National Weather Service is calling for an “El Nino” this winter, meaning Ohio could see warmer winter weather because of a large-scale, ocean-atmosphere climate interaction across the Pacific.
However, cold air outbreaks and snow storms likely will still occur, according to an Ohio EMA news release.
The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness and Ohio Gov. John Kasich promoted Winter Safety Awareness Week by encouraging people to, among other things, update their safety plans, replenish their disaster supply kits, and prepare for winter-related incidents.
The themed week started Nov. 15 and lasted through Nov. 21.
PREPARE YOUR HOME: A retired fireman, Bailey said, for starters, people should check their smoke detectors, furnace filters, fireplaces, and heating devices for service needs.
“And make sure your home is sealed well and watch burning stuff in your home that produces gas – everything that emits CO2 (Carbon Monoxide),” he said. “That’s a killer.”
On the exterior of a home, both the Ohio EMA and Bailey said low-hanging and dead tree branches need to be removed because ice, snow, and wind can cause these limbs to break, and in turn, cause damage.
Likewise, the organization said gutters should be clear of debris and suggested homeowners check their insurance policies for winter-related coverages.
Vehicles also need to be road-ready and winterized, according to the Ohio EMA. That includes checking batteries, having extra supplies in each vehicle, and making sure functional jumper cables are available.
UPDATE DISASTER PLANS AND KITS: One of the first things a person or family should do is prepare an emergency kit and plan, according to Bailey.
“Make sure you’ve got extra water in the house and make sure you have maybe an alternate heating device,” he said.
Optimally, each person should have one gallon of water per day to sustain every family member for several days, he said.
“Pets – don’t forget them,” he added. “If you get put into a shelter, what are you going to do with your pets? There are some accommodations shelters have for pets, and some won’t accept them.”
Furthermore, he said to make sure a portable and weather radio are available for use.
According to the Ohio EMA, emergency kits should include warm clothing, blankets, flashlights, batteries, coats, hats, gloves, a battery-operated or hand-cranked radio, first aid kit, nonperishable food items, and water.
Bailey also said medication lists are important to have.
“If you get put in a shelter somewhere, have a safety-to-go kit or something built up and have medications in there and contact numbers,” he said. “If you fall out, and somebody comes up and you’re lying there, ‘Who is this guy?’
“And maybe have a little bit of your medical history.”
Updating emergency plans and places to meet also are important, he said.
“If you have to evacuate, and all the communications are down, you and your family needs to know that you’re going to be meeting or going through ‘X’ person at ‘X’ location, so they can all report to that location.”
Likewise, Bailey said to check on neighbors.
“Don’t get shot but go over and peek in the window and look at them – see if they’re lying on the floor,” he said.
BE SAFE, WARM, AND KNOW THE SIGNS OF EXPOSURE: According to WebMD, late signs of cold temperature exposure include the trunk of the body being cold to the touch; muscles becoming stiff; a slow pulse and shallow or slow breathing are present; weakness or sleepiness; confusion; loss of consciousness; or shivering, which may stop if body temperature drops below 90 degrees.
“Watch overexertion when you’re out shoveling,” he said. “If you’ve got a medical condition especially, be weary of that – you don’t want to go out there with a heart condition and bust your hind end, and next thing you know you’re lying on the ground.”
He said he’s “unfortunately” seen that scenario over and over.
“Wrap up accordingly and watch the weather,” he said. “Know what you’re going to be faced with and look ahead and prepare yourself.”
Other signs of exposure, according to Bailey, are cold nose, ears, and fingers, as well as tingling sensations.
“Wear a cap – you lose a lot of body heat from your head,” he said.
He also notes that in addition to the head, a person’s core should be kept warm, which will, in turn, keep extremities warmer because less blood is used to warm vital internal organs.
“It’s called shunting,” Bailey said. “Your most prominent organs in your body will shunt the exterior portions of your body in order to survive – just like in a dying process.
“If you’re lying there bleeding to death, you’re extremities are going to shunt to be able to create more bloodflow for the brain and to your heart, lungs, kidneys.”
WebMD also said a doctor should be called if a person’s temperature is below 96 degrees after two hours of warming; his or her skin is white or blue, hard, rubbery, and cold, which are signs of severe frostbite; blisters form; or signs of infection are present, including increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness, red streaks leading from the area, pus, and fever.
OTHER INFO TO KNOW: Locally, if people need information on what to do in or how to prepare for an emergency situation, Bailey said the Richland County EMA has info available.
The local EMA office is located at 597 Park Ave. East in the People’s Community Center.
“We’ve got numerous brochures – a whole back room full of them,” Bailey said.
The office also sells weather radios at cost.
“We don’t make a penny on it,” he said. “They’re $23, which goes right back into the general fund.”
While there are shelters set up locally through the Red Cross in case of an emergency, the list can’t be disclosed for safety reasons, Bailey said, adding that each are used in a case-by-case manner.
In case of an emergency, shelter locations will be confirmed and made known to the public.
“I can’t really tell you we’re going to be at ‘A’ shelter or ‘D’ shelter because of the occurrence – it could affect ‘A’ shelter,” he said.
Another shelter likely will be set in place soon thanks to a grant, Bailey said.
“People need to take it (emergency preparedness) seriously,” he said. “But we’re to help.”
