Red Cross Offers Ice Storm Advice

NewsOn6.com

UNDATED -- The Red Cross is getting ready to aid those in need in the event of an ice storm.

Officials say the Emergency Operations Center will be fully activated Monday morning. They say it was recently renovated to better respond to a widespread disaster.

The Red Cross is polling volunteers and lining them up for potentially setting up shelters.

During the last ice storm, the Red Cross opened 35 shelters in 12 of 18 counties. Those locations and more will be contacted in the event power goes out so that people have a safe Red Cross shelter.

Red Cross offices in Tulsa, Muskogee, Claremore, Vinita, Ponca City and Sapulpa will be open at 8:30 a.m. Monday to sell family first aid kits for $25.

Prepare a Winter Storm Plan:

• Have extra blankets on hand.
• Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water-resistant boots.
• If you are running low on prescription medications, get them filled today or Monday morning.

Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Containing:

• First aid kit and essential medications.
• Battery-powered NOAA Weather radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Canned food and can opener. Also consider energy bars.
• Bottled water (at least one gallon of water per person per day to last at least three days).
• Extra warm clothing, including boots, mittens, and a hat.
• Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit for your car, too.

Avoid traveling by car in a storm, but if you must:

• Carry a Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk.
• Keep your car's gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.

Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

The initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu, but without fever. They include:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Dizziness

To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Only burn charcoal outdoors, never inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.
• Do not use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.
• Always make sure to turn off any gas-powered engine (car, truck, motorcycle or generator) inside an attached garage or basement. Even if the garage door is open, you can still be affected or killed by CO.
• If you must test the engine, take it outdoors before starting it.
• Do not use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers for heating your home.

You can track the storms with WARN Interactive Radar and get safety tips in our Storm Zone Section.

You can get the latest WARN Team forecast in the NewsOn6.com Weather section.