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Safety Tips Time to review autumn weather safety tips: Burglar Prevention: Be sure that you give your house a though check before taking off for the day or week on a trip. Check that windows accessible from the ground are closed and locked. Doors should be closed, locked and dead bolted. Dead bolts should have a bolt which is at least one (1") inch long. The strike plates should be secured with three (3") inch long hardened screws. Read our brochure for home security (requires Adobe PDF reader). Air conditioners in the window should be secured to the sill. This will make it difficult for a burglar to enter you home by pushing in the A/C unit. Cut back plants and bushes from the window sill height and from around entry ways. Windows accessible from the ground should be closed and locked when not at home. Any second floor windows should use ventilation stops or window pins. Burglars use ladders to gain entry through the second floor windows so be sure to keep your ladder locked up. If you see you neighbors ladder out, remind them to lock up their ladder also. Their ladder might be used against you some day. Burglaries occur not only to houses but to cars and garages. Store your power equipment under lock and key. Bicycles should be stored away, even if not using them for a few minutes. Don't leave them parked in the driveway or laying on the front yard. It really only takes a minute for someone to take it. Register your bike at the police station for future reference. Cold Weather Safety: The fall season can bring a brisk change in outdoor temperatures. The mornings are cool to cold and the mid day is warm and mostly sunny. Take advantage of the mid day sun to help keep your house warm. Leaving curtains open and allowing the sun to filter through the sheer curtains is energy conscience as well as security conscience. Sheer curtains allow the sun to enter but makes it difficult for burglars to view inside your home from a distance. With the drop in temperatures at night, the heaters turn on. People are always looking for ways to save money. Please don't resort to using unsafe devices to heat your home. Never use the stove to heat your house. Propane grills are not safe to be using indoors either. Be cautious of electric heaters so that pets and children don't get burned. A fireplace is a festive and seasonal device. Always have your chimney professionally inspected at the start of the season prior to using it. They should inspect for cracks, blockages and any other problems that could occur from season to season. Consider a chimney cap to prevent animals from nesting inside the chimney which would cause a blockage and back up the fireplace emissions from properly being vented out of the house. Before lighting any fireplace, be sure the damper/flue is being used properly. Barbeques: The grilling season can be a year long event for many. Never operate a grill indoors. The smoke and emissions from the grill can make you and your family very ill quickly. Weather: Be aware of frost and freezing warnings. Protect your kids and pets from prolonged exposure to the changing temperatures. Prepare an emergency kit containing sealed non-perishable food items, batteries for a small radio, a flashlight, and fresh water.Keep the radio tuned to an advisory station. Dress appropriately for the weather including long sleeves, hats, gloves/mittens and pants. Think ahead to the weather and conditions at the end of the day as well as when you leave your home. Auto: Keep your windshield fluid topped off so you can see the road clearly. Warm up the car and wait for the frost/snow/ice to be completely cleared from your auto before driving. It is safer and it's the law! Swap out the summer emergency kit in your car for the winter kit. The winter kit should include: a few non-perishable snacks like energy bars fresh water (will be brought in at night to prevent freezing or a small tin can for melting snow is an alternative) flashlight (some can be shaken to generate the electricity - normal batteries could be killed by the cold temperatures being stored in the trunk) flares or reflective triangle first aid kit basic tools, jumper cables extra gloves/hats/blankets hand and feet warmers(chemically activated type) ice scraper and brush small bag of cat litter or sand (adds traction) small shovel to remove snow extra anti-freeze 20 foot tow rope portable power station (for jump starting your own car if no one is around) If you are forced off the road or simply have to wait out the worst of the storm, turn on your emergency flashers. Remember to carry your cell phone with you but realize you may not have service. Call for help if you can. Stay with your car. In your car you will be protected from the elements. Staying near the highway you will be far more visible. Trying to go for help will only expose you to the elements and increase your chances of getting lost. You could easily be hit by another car if you attempt to walk alongside a highway. Run the engine only for about ten minutes per hour to heat the car and open a window slightly on the side opposite the wind for ventilation. Be patient. Even in the most remote places, there will be other cars on the road and emergency personnel at work.
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