Winter Storm Safety Rules

Winter Storm Safety Rules WINTER STORM
SAFETY RULES
WHEN SNOW AND WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES HAVE BEEN ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FOR PARTS OF MISSOURI, THE FOLLOWING SAFETY TIPS ARE PROVIDED IN HOPE THAT THE BROADCAST MEDIA WILL FREQUENTLY BROADCAST THESE MESSAGES WHILE THE WATCH OR WARNING AFFECTS THEIR AREA.

FOR A REPORT OF HIGHWAY CONDITIONS IN MISSOURI...CALL THE MISSOURI HIGHWAY PATROL AT...1-800-222-6400.
FOR ILLINOIS ROAD CONDITIONS CALL 1-800-452-4368.

Definitions
A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE WINTER WEATHER IN THE DESIGNATED AREA. DURING THE WATCH THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR IMMEDIATE CONCERN. YOU SHOULD HOWEVER PLAN AHEAD IT THE STORM DOES DEVELOP. KEEP AHEAD OF ADVANCING WINTER WEATHER BY LISTENING TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...THE VOICE OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE...OR TO COMMERCIAL RADIO AND TELEVISION.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS A WINTER STORM IS EXPECTED VERY SOON OR ACTUALLY IS OCCURRING. PEOPLE IN THE AFFECTED AREA SHOULD TAKE THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES...SUCH AS A SNOW OR FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY...ARE ISSUED FOR LESSER EVENTS THAT ARE NOT CONSIDERED IMMEDIATELY LIFE THREATENING BUT WILL LIKELY CAUSE AN INCONVENIENCE. UNNECESSARY TRAVEL OR ACTIVITY SHOULD STILL BE AVOIDED.

Safety Rules
IF YOU MUST TRAVEL DURING THE WINTER MAKE SURE YOUR CAR IS WINTERIZED BEFORE WINTER WEATHER STRIKES. MAKE SURE THE TIRES...BATTERY...LIGHTS...EXHAUST AND HEATER CONNECTIONS...DEFROSTER...AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. MAKE SURE THE GASOLINE TANK IS FULL BEFORE CROSSING OPEN COUNTRY.

A SEVERE WINTER STORM CAN CLOSE ROADS AND KNOCK OUT ELECTRICAL POWER. BEFORE THE STORM HITS CHECK THAT YOUR FOOD SUPPLY IS ADEQUATE. SUPPLIES SHOULD INCLUDE FOOD THAT REQUIRES NO COOKING IN CASE OF POWER FAILURE. CHECK YOUR SUPPLY OF HEATING FUEL. FUEL CARRIERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REACH YOU DUE TO ICE OR SNOW COVERED ROADS.

BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WHEN USING ALTERNATIVE HEATING SOURCES SUCH AS FIREPLACES...STOVES OR SPACE HEATERS. PROPER VENTILATION IS ESSENTIAL TO AVOID DEADLY BUILD-UP OF CARBON MONOXIDE. FIRE IS ALSO A MAJOR RISK WHEN USING SUCH HEATING SOURCES. REMEMBER...THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REACH YOU.

IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...DRESS FOR THE CONDITIONS. WEAR SEVERAL LAYERS OF LIGHT-WEIGHT WARM CLOTHING. OUTER GARMENTS SHOULD BE WATERPROOF AND HOODED. FOR THE HANDS...MITTENS SNUG AT THE WRISTS...OFFER BETTER PROTECTION THAN FINGERED GLOVES.

THE COLD IS MORE INTENSE WHEN THE WIND IS BLOWING. STRONG WINDS CAUSE A PRONOUNCED INCREASE IN THE CHILLING EFFECT OF LOW TEMPERATURES. IN A 20 MILE AN HOUR WIND...A TEMPERATURE OF 20 DEGREES BECOMES THE EQUIVALENT OF 9 DEGREES BELOW ZERO. INCREASE THE WIND TO 35 MILES AN HOUR AND THE EFFECT WOULD BE A FRIGID MINUS 20 DEGREES.

KGAN Winter Weather Safety Rules
Wind Chill Chart

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