Tips to help hunker down in case of inclement weather

RABUN COUNTY — With a Winter Weather Advisory in place for parts of Northwest and West Georgia, WRBN Sky 96.3 wants to remind listeners to keep safety first during severe winter weather by getting informed and being prepared.

According to the Department of Transportation, 22% of all vehicle crashes in the U.S. – and 16% of the fatalities – are due to severe weather such as rain, snow, sleet and ice. So, prepare your car for treacherous conditions and extremely cold temperatures and know what to do if you find yourself stranded in a vehicle. When the temperatures start to drop:

• Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive, travel during the day.
• Don’t travel alone. Keep others informed of your schedule.
• Stay on main roads and avoid back road shortcuts.
• Top off antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, gas, oil and other fluids.
• Make sure your tires have enough tread. Consider snow tires.
• Keep bagged salt or sand in the trunk for extra traction and to melt ice.
• Clear snow from the top of the car, headlights and windows.
• Save the numbers for your auto club, insurance agent and towing service into your cell phone.
• Keep a cold-weather kit in your trunk. It should include a blanket or sleeping bag, gloves, hard candy, bottled water, folding shovel, first aid kit, flashlight and cell phone charger.

Protecting your home is also vital. A frozen water pipe can burst and flood your house or basement. An ice dam in your gutter can cause water to seep into and saturate an interior wall. Some tips to prepare your home:

• Clean out the gutters, disconnect and drain all outside hoses. If possible, shut off outside water valves.
• Insulate walls and attics, and caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
• Repair roof leaks and remove tree branches that could get weighed down with ice or snow and fall on your house – or your neighbor’s. (Avoid liability for the latter.)
• Wrap water pipes in your basement or crawl spaces with insulation sleeves to slow heat transfer.
• Consider an insulated blanket for your hot water heater.
• If you have a fireplace, keep the flue closed when you’re not using it.
• Have a contractor check your roof to see if it would sustain the weight of a heavy snowfall.
• Make sure your furniture isn’t blocking your home’s heating vents.
• During cold spells, keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes, particularly those in the kitchen and bathrooms.