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Minnesota Winter Hazard Awareness Week

November 5 - 9, 2012

Winter Preparations.

Winter made a brief appearance in St. Louis County in early October.  The snowfall was a good reminder of what season we are transitioning to.  Now it is time to get ready for the upcoming winter season.  Vehicles are getting a pre-winter check-up, snow removal equipment is being prepared for use, winter clothing is being seen etc. 

How do you get ready for winter?  Do you have a checklist of things you need to do?  The following information was provided by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety – Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.  The website that is mentioned provides fact sheets, video, websites etc related to each of the daily topics. 

Little things do matter.

Minnesota winter is just around the corner and the question is – are you ready for it? Getting ready for winter doesn’t always take a lot of work. Sometimes it’s just a few little things that can make the difference between safety and suffering: having a survival kit in your car, changing the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector, staying well-hydrated during outdoor fun.

To help everyone minimize the risks and hazards of winter, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety – in collaboration with the National Weather Service and other local, state, and federal agencies– sponsors “Winter Hazard Awareness Week” each fall to educate and reinforce in people some simple behaviors and actions that lead to a warm, safe and enjoyable winter season. The week-long event includes a media campaign and other informational materials posted on our website: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/weather-awareness-preparedness/Pages/winter-hazarad-awareness-week.aspx   The campaign targets specific information each day and can be used in conjunction with school, church, or civic programs.

This year, Winter Hazard Awareness Week, is November 5 - 9, 2012. Each day of the week is devoted to highlighting a specific topic of information. 

Monday, November 5:

Winter Storms – Warnings and alerts, extreme cold and heavy snow and ice

Tuesday, November 6: 

Outdoor Winter Safety – Thin ice, keeping children safe, winter sports activities, frostbite and hypothermia and snow shoveling

Wednesday, November 7: 

Winter Fire Safety – Heating, cooking and holiday fire safety

Thursday, November 8: 

Indoor Winter Safety – Carbon monoxide, radon, mold, chemical and environmental exposure

Friday, November, 9: 

Winter Driving – Winter survival kits for your vehicle, dialing 9-1-1 on a cellular phone, 511 (road) information system and snowplow safety

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