By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is urging residents to keep some winter safety tips in mind as winter weather has arrived throughout much of the state.
IMEA spokeswoman Rebecca Clark said being unprepared for winter weather can be both inconvenient and dangerous.
She encouraged residents to take a few minutes to put together home and vehicle supply kits.
“There are little things that you can do today, that will pay dividends in the future,” Clark said.
IMEA officials recommend supply kits include, water, blankets, flashlights, batteries and first aid supplies.
They said it is also a good time to double-check that vehicles have an ice-scraper. At home, this is the time of year to change furnace filters and do any regular furnace maintenance. Also, update the home emergency supply kit in the event of a power outage.
IMEA officials also are reminding residents to not forget pets, young children and the elderly when putting together an emergency supply kit.
So far, 2019 has been a record-breaking year for winter weather across the state. The Polar Vortex that blanketed most of Illinois brought life-threatening cold temperatures for several days earlier this year. It was during that time that the state recorded its coldest temperature on record. The cold on Jan. 31 in Mt. Carroll reached negative 38 degrees That temperature broke the previous record in Illinois of negative 36, set in 1999, according to the National Weather Service.
Over the past decade, from 2008 to 2018, Illinois reported 788 cold-related fatalities. Comparatively, during the same time period heat was blamed on 227 deaths. There were 23 tornado-related deaths, 38 related to floods and 17 attributed to storms and lighting.
Those who must be outside during the cold weather, officials suggested workers consider scheduling a physical exam before winter work begins.
Mitch Rogers, an administrator for Memorial Health System’s Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Services in Springfield, said preventative maintenance is also a good idea.
“The signs of danger initially may be subtle but once they hit, they can hit like a snowplow,” he said.
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said winter weather comes with health risks.
“It’s important to watch for signs of extreme cold. Hypothermia, when a person’s body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, can occur both outdoors and indoors and can be fatal. Frostbite occurs when your extremities (fingers, toes, nose, and ears) are exposed to cold weather,” Ezike said in a statement. “The skin may become stiff and numb leading to severe tissue damage. Also, watch for symptoms of chest pain when shoveling snow which can be associated with overexertion. Know the warning signs of dangerous cold weather health conditions in order to stay safe and healthy during the winter.”
A winter preparedness guide is available online, developed for residents by IEMA and the National Weather Service. The guide covers winter weather terms and tips for staying safe at home, in the car and at school. The guide is available at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.
“Preparing well in advance of winter weather is really the best way to cope when snow, ice and cold temperatures affect us,” said Chris Miller, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Illinois Radio Network can be reached at News@WJBC.com.
