Stay Safe this Winter

The CT Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) has issued a series of recommendations for residents to stay safe during the winter season. 

Last year's record snowfalls saw widespread power outages, building collapses, treacherous road conditions, and flooding. 

“I recommend that all Connecticut residents take three simple preparedness steps: Get a kit, make a plan, and stay informed,” said State Director of Emergency Management William J. Hackett in a press release. “Taking these three simple steps can greatly enhance our resiliency to any emergency."

Stay Supplied

DESPP recommends assembling an emergency winter supply kit with the following items:

• Flashlight and extra batteries 
• Portable radio or NOAA Weather Radio with extra batteries
• Charged cell phone
• First-aid kit
• Essential prescription medicines
• Non-perishable Food
• Manual can opener
• Water (one gallon per person/per day)
• Baby items
• Extra blankets and sleeping bags
• Fire extinguisher

Stay In Touch

According to the DESPP, establishing a household communication plan to use in case of emergency is necessary in case family members get separated from one another the day of a storm. Some tips for setting up your plan include:

• Figure out a safe way for everyone to regroup.
• Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the ‘family contact’. After a disaster, it is often easier to  call long distance than across town. Also, calling outside the area will probably be easier than calling into a disaster area.
• Make sure everyone knows the name, address and telephone number of the contact person.
•  Sometimes an emergency could impact your neighborhood or small section of town. Decide on an alternate meeting area for family members.

Stay Informed

Having the right information at the right time can make all the difference during a severe storm. The DESPP suggests staying up to date on weather developments in the following ways:

• Be familiar with the Emergency Plans at your children’s school and your workplace. 
• Be aware of the location of your community’s potential emergency shelters and possible evacuation routes.
• Monitor the media

More information is available at the DESPP's website. Just click here.