WI DOT offers winter emergency preparedness tips
Nov 19, 2020 06:51AM ● By Editor
Photo: Readers' Digest
From the Daily Jefferson County Union - November 19, 2020
As we prepare for another Wisconsin winter, this is the perfect time to make sure you have fresh batteries in the smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and NOAA Weather Radios at home.
It’s also important to make sure you have an emergency kit in your home and vehicles, supplied with non-perishable food, bottled water, blankets, flashlights with extra batteries, vehicle cell phone charger and a first aid kit.
“While Wisconsin typically experiences most of its winter weather from late November through April, this season got off to an early start with several parts of the state receiving a late-October blast of snow,” said Dr. Darrell L. Williams, Wisconsin Emergency Management administrator. “It’s an important reminder that winter weather can be unpredictable, so you need to be prepared early on for what Mother Nature may throw at us.”
According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, an average of 43 people are killed and 4,138 are injured each year in crashes on icy or snow-covered roads in the state. On average, there are about 18,000 vehicle crashes in the state each year caused by poor winter driving conditions.
“During the winter months, it’s important to check current road conditions before you head out,” Williams said. “Consider canceling travel plans if you don’t need to be on the roads. If you can’t avoid driving, make sure you have an emergency kit in your vehicle, slow down, and make sure someone knows where you’re going and that you have arrived safely.”
Persons can check travel conditions for most major roadways in the state by using 511 Wisconsin, a state Department of Transportation service updated regularly with the latest traffic and road conditions on major routes throughout the state. This information, along with live traffic cameras and traffic alerts, can be accessed through the free 511 Wisconsin mobile app, @511WI on Twitter, or the mobile-friendly site www.511wi.gov.
Persons also may find updates through local government websites and social media accounts. View ReadyWisconsin’s full Winter Awareness Week information at https://tinyurl.com/y2pwqxx3.
Find more tips on getting ready for winter at http://www.readywisconsin.wi.gov. Persons also can follow ReadyWisconsin on Twitter (http://twitter.com/ReadyWisconsin) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ReadyWisconsin) for daily safety tips and severe weather updates.
