THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY & SECURITY

MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
400 Worcester Road Framingham , MA 01702 -5399

Tel: 508-820-2000   Fax: 508-820-2030

Website: www.mass.gov/mema

WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION

Suggests List of Emergency Car Kit, Emergency Supply Kit, Family Emergency Communication Plan  

FRAMINGHAM , MA - The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has issued information to help people prepare for another New England Winter Season.  MEMA has issued a list of items to be included in your Winter Emergency Car Kit, your family’s Winter Emergency Supply Kit, and development of a Family Emergency Communication Plan.

“Now is the proper time for individuals and family’s to take the necessary steps to ensure their safety both on the roads and at home as we anticipate what will undoubtedly come during this Winter Season,” said MEMA Director Don Boyce.

SUGGESTED WINTER EMERGENCY CAR KIT

 Keep the following items in your car in case of emergency during a Winter Storm:

 ·        Flashlight with extra batteries

·        Charged cell phone

·        Basic first-aid kit

·        Necessary medications

·        Pocket knife

·        Blankets or sleeping bags

·        Extra clothes (include rain gear, mittens, socks)

·        High-calorie, non-perishable foods (dried fruits, nuts, canned food)

·        Non-electric can opener

·        Container of water

·        Shovel

·        Road flares

·        Sand for generating traction

·        Tire chains or traction mats

·        Basic tool kit (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)

·        Tow rope

·        Brightly colored cloth to utilize as a flag

 Make sure that your tires have adequate tread and keep your gas tank at least half-full. Check your windshield wiper fluid and keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal.  Plan long trips carefully, listening to your car radio or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest news, weather forecasts and road conditions.  Travel during the day, and if possible, try to take someone along with you.

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Those who already have an All-Hazard Emergency Supply Kit, as MEMA continues to suggest, should be in fine shape already, although they should use the opportunity to evaluate and replace necessary batteries and other expired items.  Everyone should have some non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights and extra batteries around the house, along with a portable radio or NOAA Weather Radio in case of power outages or other emergencies caused by a winter storm.

Additional items that should be included on your Winter Emergency Supply Kit are a freshly-stocked first-aid kit, essential prescription medicines, non-perishable foods (those that require no refrigeration such as canned goods, dried fruits and nuts), a non-electric can opener, water (one gallon per-person, per-day), baby-care items, extra blankets, sleeping bags and a fire extinguisher.

SUGGESTED WINTER EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT

 Keep these items around the house in case of emergency during a winter storm:

·        Flashlight and extra batteries

·        Charged cell phone

·        Portable radio or NOAA Weather Radio with extra batteries

·        Basic First-aid kit

·        Essential prescription medicines

·        Non-perishable Food

·        Non-electric can opener

·        Water (one gallon per person/per day)

·        Baby items

·        Pets food/supplies

·        Extra blankets and sleeping bags

·        Fire extinguisher

Take the time to check the condition of your fireplace and chimney.  Also, ensure that your smoke detectors and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors are working properly.  Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use, installation, maintenance and testing procedures.

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“Every household should develop a Family Emergency Communication Plan in case family members are separated from one another during a storm.  That is a real possibility during the day if adults are at work and children are at school,” said Boyce.  

FAMILY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION PLAN

 Develop a Family Emergency Communication Plan to help ensure the location and condition of family members separated from one another during an emergency.  Have a plan for getting back together.

• Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the ‘family contact’.  After a disaster, it is often easier to call long distance than across town.  Also, calling outside the area will be easier than calling into a disaster area.
• Make sure everyone knows the name, address and telephone number of the contact person.
• Sometimes an emergency could impact your neighborhood or small section of town.  Decide on an alternate meeting area for family members.
• Be familiar with the Emergency Plans at your children’s school and your place of business.

Winter can be a difficult season that can be made easier with some basic preparedness planning.

 The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts .  MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made.

For additional information about MEMA and Winter Preparedness, go to the MEMA website at www.mass.gov/mema.