[LeArc] Illinoisans encouraged to get ready for cold, snow and ice during Winter Storm Preparedness Week

[Duane Whittingham]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2006

Illinoisans encouraged to get ready for cold, 
snow and ice during Winter Storm Preparedness Week
IEMA and National Weather Service join with 
Governor Blagojevich’s Keep Warm Illinois 
campaign to help people stay safe this winter

SPRINGFIELD – The good news is the National 
Weather Service (NWS) is predicting milder 
temperatures and below normal precipitation in 
Illinois this winter.  The bad news is people 
throughout Illinois can still expect a few 
outbreaks of bone-chilling cold and typical 
winter precipitation – snow, sleet and ice.

That’s why the Illinois Emergency Management 
Agency (IEMA) and the NWS are once again joining 
with Governor Rod R. Blagojevich’s Keep Warm 
Illinois campaign to remind Illinoisans of the 
steps they can take to keep safe this winter when 
bad weather inevitably strikes.  The agencies are 
promoting winter weather preparedness during the 
annual Winter Storm Preparedness Week, November 12-18.

“A mild winter would be welcomed by most of us in 
Illinois, but we don’t want people to become 
complacent and be caught unprepared when bad 
weather hits,” said IEMA director William C. 
Burke.  “Many winter weather-related injuries and 
deaths could be prevented if people took a few 
moments now to prepare their homes and cars and 
reacquaint themselves with winter hazards.”

According to the NWS, there has not been a winter 
in Illinois without a severe winter storm in the 
past century.  On average, the state experiences 
five severe winter storms each year.

Driving in sleet, snow or ice can be particularly 
treacherous and accidents often occur when 
drivers are caught unaware.  “Drivers in Illinois 
need to be aware of the forecast for the first 
snowfall of the season and then slow down,” said 
Chris Miller with the NWS in Lincoln.  “Most 
injuries and fatalities attributed to winter 
weather are a result of auto accidents.  It 
doesn’t take much snow or ice to produce very slippery conditions.”

Before traveling in winter months, check the 
latest weather conditions along your travel route 
and make sure tires, wipers, and lights are in 
good condition.  Start your trip with a full tank 
of gas, provide your itinerary to a friend, 
relative or co-worker, and if possible, travel 
during daylight hours on main roads.

While on the road, be prepared to turn back and 
seek shelter if conditions become 
threatening.  Keep windows clear of snow and ice 
and adjust speed for road conditions.

If you are stranded, pull as far off the road as 
possible, set your hazard lights to flashing and 
hang or tie a colored cloth, preferably red, to 
your antenna, window or door.  If you have a 
cellular phone, call for help.  Stay in your 
vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find 
you.  Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked 
by snow, and then run the engine and heater about 
ten minutes each hour to keep warm.

Now is the time to equip your car with a winter 
car survival kit stocked with items that can keep 
you safe and warm if you should become stranded 
alongside a road.  A car survival kit should include the following:

• Cell phone and charger
• First aid kit
• Water and high-calorie, non-perishable food
• Boots, hats, gloves and extra clothing to keep dry
• Blanket
• Sack of sand or cat litter
• Shovel
• Windshield scraper and brush
• Tool kit
• Tow rope
• Booster cables
• Compass and road maps
• A small can and waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking water

A severe winter storm could prevent you from 
leaving your home for several days, perhaps 
without electricity or heat.  A basic home 
preparedness kit can help you get through winter 
storms and other emergencies throughout the 
year.  Items in the kit should include:

• Three-day supply of non-perishable food, 
including high energy foods such as dried fruit and candy
• Bottled water (one gallon per family member per day for three days)
• Battery-operated radio, NOAA weather radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Extra medications and special items for babies, the disabled and the elderly

To learn more about winter preparedness, IEMA, 
NWS and the American Red Cross developed a Winter 
Storm Preparedness Guide, which is available on 
the IEMA website at 
<http://www.state.il.us/iema>www.state.il.us/iema 
or by calling (217) 785-9888.  The guide includes 
many more tips on how to stay safe in your home 
and car, as well as information about winter 
weather terms, frostbite and hypothermia.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) 
also offers a free guide called “Weathering 
Winter” to help people stay safe and healthy 
during the winter.  The guide addresses cold 
weather preparations including safety tips for 
using furnaces, fireplaces and space heaters; 
fire safety; weather terms and understanding wind 
chill; preparing for severe weather; maintaining 
your water supply; winterizing your vehicle; and 
safe winter driving.  There is also health 
information about colds, influenza, hypothermia 
and frostbite.  The guide includes safety 
information about winter sports such as sledding, 
ice skating, skiing and snowmobiling.  Holiday 
safety information about holiday cooking, toy 
safety, Christmas tree safety, drinking and 
driving and alcohol consumption is also included.

A copy of the guide can be found on the IDPH 
website at 
<http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/books/WeathWinter02.pdf>http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/books/WeathWinter02.pdf 
or a free copy can be obtained by contacting the 
department at (217) 782-5750, TTY (hearing 
impaired use only) 800-547-0466 or fax at (217) 782-3987.

The Keep Warm Illinois website 
(<http://www.keepwarm.illinois.gov>www.keepwarm.illinois.gov) 
offers various no-cost and low-cost energy saving 
tips, a web-based tool to conduct a home energy 
audit, links to energy assistance programs and 
other resources.  In addition, the Keep Warm 
Illinois hotline (877-411-WARM) is another 
resource for Illinois residents to learn how to 
save energy and get energy assistance.


-------------------------------------------------------
Amateur Radio Operator
Duane Whittingham - N9SSN
Skywarn, ARES/RACES, EMA/ESDA
Red Cross Volunteer and SATERN Member