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

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICALS REMIND VERMONTERS ABOUT WINTER STORM SAFETY

With winter weather and icing impacting much of Vermont, 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 and on every level of your home.

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.

During heavy snow events inspect barns and other buildings for signs of wreaking or collapse. Utilize safe practices when removing snow buildup on roofs.

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 are stored in a fire resistant container with a cover and keep the container outdoors and away from combustibles.

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 odors or hear strange sounds that might be a clue to a possible problem, let someone know.