STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY
VERMONT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

PRESS RELEASE / NEWS ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 24, 2009

CONTACTS:

Micheal D. Greenia - Division of Fire Safety, Phone: 802-479-7587
Mark Bosma - Vermont Emergency Management Phone: (800) 347-0488

HEAVY SNOW PROMPTS OFFICIALS TO REMIND VERMONTERS ABOUT WINTER SAFETY

A significant amount of heavy snow has fallen in Vermont over the last few days and forecasts are calling for milder temperatures and possible rain showers by the end of the week. These conditions could lead to possible problems for Vermont residents. The Division of Fire Safety, Vermont Emergency Management and local fire officials would like to remind all Vermonters to use the following points during this winter weather event to help protect themselves and to prevent needless deaths and injuries.

Make sure your home is protected with working smoke and carbon monoxide (detectors) alarms, Locate alarms close to where you sleep.

Check the vents for your heating system to make sure they are not blocked by snow; take a close look at direct vents that are located lower down on walls. A blocked vent can lead to Carbon Monoxide backing up into your home.

Inspect buildings for signs of wreaking or collapse. Special attention should be paid to roofs that are flat, barns and other out buildings. Building owners are encouraged to remove snow from roofs that could be in danger of collapse, if it can be done so safely and without risk of injury.

Make sure that all emergency exits and outside stairs or fire escapes are clear of ice and snow.

If there is a fire hydrant near your building get it shoveled out, hydrants should be clear for three feet in every direction. The fire department and public works department may be tied up with emergencies and not be able to get to the hydrants.

Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Take frequent breaks. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside.

Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from any heat source. Make sure your stove or fireplace ashes stored in a fire resistant container with a cover and keep the container outdoors and away from the building.

Make use of safe practices when using gasoline-powered generators or alternative heating units during winter weather-related power outages. CO that is produced from these units can kill in minutes. Vermonters should never use a generator, charcoal or gas grill inside of a building.

When you go to work, check to see if the emergency exits are clear if you smell unusual orders or hear strange sounds that might be a clue to a possible problem. Leave the building at the first sign of danger.

Vermonters who are able to help elderly neighbors and others who need assistance in removing snow are encouraged to do so.