Senator Hwang Shares 5 Tips to Stay Safe and Warm During the Blizzard

January 26, 2015

With a dangerous blizzard bearing down on our region, state Sen. Tony Hwang (R-28) wanted to share a few safety tips to help ensure the safety of our residents.

1. REPORTING POWER OUTAGES: If you lose power, always report it to your electric provider.

If you see a downed power line, utilities stress that you should always assume it is live, and to never touch it or drive over it.

2. GENERATOR SAFETY: If you have a backup power source like a generator, test it to be sure it is properly functioning. Generators should be kept outdoors, away from the home, to prevent deadly carbon monoxide from making its way inside. NEVER use a generator inside a home, and always store gasoline in appropriate containers in a safe place.

3. PREPARE A STORM SAFETY KIT: Emergency preparedness advocates suggest that a household keep on hand supplies to last at least 72 hours. To learn more about preparedness, visit Ready.Gov, and for a list of what should be in your Storm Safety Kit, check out this PDF.

4. SHOVELING: With upwards of 36 inches of snow forecast to fall, and wind drifts even higher, shoveling is going to be a back-breaking task. Shoveling can also be dangerous, as it has been connected to heart attacks, particularly among the elderly, so it’s best to know your limits, take breaks, and, if you can, get a hand from a neighbor or family member.

5. SHELTER INFO: For information on emergency disaster services including shelters, contact the Connecticut American Red Cross at 877-287-3327 or online at www.ctredcross.org . For non-emergency services, dial 2-1-1 or visit www.211ct.org.

You can subscribe to Connecticut’s alert system, which will send instant text alerts or e-mails to let you know about severe weather, road closings, local emergencies, etc. To register, go to http://www.ctalert.gov/ctalert/site/default.asp

In the event of an emergency, always call 9-1-1.

“My office will be monitoring this storm closely and we will remain in constant contact with local officials,” Senator Hwang said. “We stand ready to support our towns and emergency responders however we can, and we will be sharing useful and timely information as often as possible via our e-newsletter, website and social media.”

“I encourage folks to be mindful of their neighbors and lend a helping hand if you can,” Senator Hwang said. “Together, we can weather this storm safely.”