Keeping Safe During Extreme Winter Weather
Texas and the surrounding area are known for its unpredictable weather. Recently, severe winter weather heavily impacted the area, wreaking havoc on businesses and residences.
The weather conditions were so frigid that the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) declared that excessive power use would result in rolling outages throughout the week.
While the planned outages were supposed to last between 15 and 45 minutes, due to unforeseen circumstances, many Texans found themselves without electricity for 24 hours and beyond. If you or a family member find yourselves stuck at home or at work during a lengthy outage, indoor temperatures can drop to uncomfortable and dangerous levels, fast.
Here are some emergency tips for keeping warm and safe as possible until the power returns or natural disaster help arrives.
Do Not Bring Generators Inside
Although generators can be extremely useful during an extended power outage, never bring them inside of your home. Using a generator inside creates exhaust, which leads to dangerous and sometimes fatal exposure to carbon monoxide.
If you have a generator, the safest placement for it on your property is 30 feet away from your home. It is also best to have the generator’s exhaust pointing away from the building.
Do Not Leave Ovens or Stoves Running
Gas ovens and stoves can expose inhabitants to deadly levels of carbon monoxide. Although it may be tempting to leave these appliances running to heat up the immediate area, it is very dangerous – even fatal with prolonged exposure.
Use Candles if Necessary
If you become in need of an immediate heat source that you can safely control, light some candles, and place them directly in your vicinity. This can help warm up your direct location without a carbon monoxide risk. However, when lighting candles remember to take extra precautions to prevent burns and/or fires.
Self-Insulate Your Home
Even a well-insulated home or business can reach dangerous temperatures during a power outage in freezing conditions. Keeping yourself warm at all costs is essential.
Some easy ways to further insulate your home or business during a cold outage include the following:
● Closing blinds or covering exposed windows with blankets or towels
● Stuff towels underneath doors that bring in a draft from outside
● Close doors to rooms not being used to seal in the heat in the current room
Dress for Outside Weather
Layers are going to be your best friend as you wait for the power to return. From mittens to thick socks and hats, layers of warm clothing can help your body regulate its temperature and get you through this difficult time.
Try to Conserve Your Phone’s Battery
One of the most important things to keep in mind is phone battery conservation. If you do need to reach out to emergency services for help, your phone will need power to perform.
You may experience rolling blackouts, so we always recommend taking advantage of these bursts of power to charge your phone for later use. In short, stay off the game apps and only use your phone for welfare texts or condition updates.
If there is an Emergency, Always Call for Help
Sometimes a winter storm can blow through and cause substantial damage to local power lines. If you find any downed power lines or notice that power lines are in direct contact with trees or surrounding homes, stay away from the lines and reach out to emergency services for safe removal.
Removing these obstructions yourself or stepping in to help someone who has injured themselves in the removal process only puts you at risk. The best way to help and stay safe is to separate yourself from the situation and call for help.
Weather Every Storm with the Help of TAS Environmental Services
If your area has been hit hard with winter storms, TAS Environmental Services is prepared to help your community get back to normal with our natural disaster response services. Trust our experts to help your area minimize any long-term damage caused by the latest winter storms.
Contact us today to learn more about our emergency response services in your area.