Preparedness crucial for winter weather Published Nov. 25, 2014 By Senior Airman Mitchell Dzierzbicki 375th Civil Engineer Squadron SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Last winter made for the worst weather conditions in Illinois in nearly 40 years. Before that, in 2011, Chicago experienced the "Snowpocalypse." This event left more than 1,500 cars stranded on Lake Shore Drive for more than six hours. People were separated from loved ones and unsure of what was happening with little to no gasoline or food in their vehicles. By taking a little time to prepare homes, cars, and families during times of weather involving extreme cold, snow, and ice, individuals can hopefully avoid falling victim to an "icy situation" like the one in 2011. To ensure Airmen are prepared for this potentially hazardous season, it's important that every member at Scott is enrolled in the emergency notification system called AtHoc. As an additional precaution, it's also a good idea to have a weather service app on your cell phone that allows for emergency alerts for inclement weather. In the event the weather gets bad, especially in rural areas, people should be prepared to bunker down for a few days. Everyone should have the basics: shelter, food and heat in their home. People should also have at least a three day supply of food and water for each member of the household and any medications required. For pets, allow for any special medications and a separate supply of water and food. Preparing a house for winter is just as important as preparing a family. Carbon monoxide poisoning happens more in the winter than any other time of year. Inspect and maintain your detectors to avoid any issues. A home needs to remain warm even when people are not there. Freezing pipes are common during this time of year and can be very costly when they break. The furnace is rarely used in the summer, so individuals forget to maintain them. Make sure all the vents and filters are clean to avoid any unnecessary strain or damage. Before heavy snow fall, make sure there are no weak areas in the roofing or supports of a home. In bad winter weather, it's safer not to drive. However there are occasions when people must leave their home. Keep your fuel tank as close to full as possible, and before going anywhere, check the tire pressure because it could be a little low because of the cold weather. One of the major reasons for loss of traction in this weather is low tire tread, so have them inspected and replaced if needed. Make sure all essential and scheduled maintenance is done to avoid any break downs. This includes making sure the right mixture of antifreeze and water is in the radiator, and that the window washer fluid tank is full. Different brands and types of anti-freeze and washer fluid have different freezing points so pick ones appropriate for a very cold climate. Always dress appropriately and keep an extra set of dry clothing in the trunk as well. In addition, keep sandbags, kitty litter, or road salt on hand for traction in case of slippery situations. Helpful car tools include a phone charger, small shovel, flares, blanket, snacks, water, windshield scraper, tow rope, and first aid kit with pocket knife. These are just some recommendations, but adapt kits as your situation may require. Preparedness is the idea that if the worst case scenario presents itself, people can adapt and overcome the situation. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Emergency Management office at 256-4831, or visit some of the websites listed below: www.beready.af.mil www.ready.gov www.emergency.cdc.gov www.weather.com www.redcross.org