Carbon Monoxide Precautions
Carbon monoxide (CO) is commonly known as "the silent killer." Because it is odorless, and tasteless, none of your senses can detect it. CO claims the lives of nearly 300 people in their homes each year according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (SPSC). CO is a potentially deadly gas that is produced by fuel-burning heating equipment, such as furnaces, wood stoves, fireplaces, and kerosene heaters.
Follow these guidelines to help keep your family safer:
• Install at least one CO alarm near sleeping areas.
• Have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune-up your home's central heating system and repair leaks or other problems; fireplaces and woodstoves should be inspected each year and cleaned or repaired as need.
• Keep gas appliances properly adjusted and serviced.
• Never use an oven or range to heat your home; Never use a gas or charcoal grill inside your home or in a closed garage.
• Portable electric generators must be used outside only. Never use them indoors, in a garage or in any confined area that can allow CO to collect. Follow usage directions closely.

Snow / Ice Storm Preparations
While weather reports often forewarn of storms coming in, why should you have to panic and rush out to buy all the needed supplies?
• Stock up on batteries, flashlights, portable radios, canned foods, manual can openers, bottled water and blankets. Be sure first aid kit is fully stocked, and purchase salt now for icy sidewalks.
• Be sure to keep ample supplies of needed daily medications on hand, in the event of being 'snowed in.'
• 'Winterize' your car and be sure to have jumper cables, ice scraper, flashlight, small shovel and bag of salt, cell-phone charger and non-perishable snacks. Keep car fully fueled.

Braving the Cold Air
• Always be sure to dress warmly and in water-proof layers.
• Wear mittens rather than gloves when possible, and always wear a hat; 30-50% of our body heat is lost through our heads.
• Shoveling snow takes far more energy than we often realize. Warm up and stretch your muscles before shoveling and take breaks often.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol as they increase the body's heat loss.
• Keep thermostats set to at least 65 degrees to prevent hypothermia. Watch for signs of hypothermia, including uncontrolled shivering, slowed speech and sleepiness. And remember that seniors are particularly at risk, so check on your neighbors often during particularly cold spells.
• Keep home thermostats set to at least 65 degrees even when not at home also to keep pipes from freezing.