City Offers Tips on How to Prepare for Winter Months

The city of Naperville is reminding residents to educate themselves on how to remain safe during winter weather events during Winter Weather Preparedness Week taking place from Nov. 11 to 17. 

“Last year, Naperville experienced a milder winter than normal,” Emergency Management Coordinator Dan Nelson said in a press release. “However, we cannot allow one season of very limited snowfall to make us complacent about preparing in the event of a winter weather emergency. One of my largest concerns would be a winter ice storm causing a prolonged power outage. I encourage everyone to create an emergency plan, including a winter storm survival kit for their home and vehicle, prior to the onset of winter weather.”

The city has the following tips to stay safe during winter storms:

• Have safe emergency heating equipment available.
• Have disaster supplies, such as a flashlight, portable radio, first aid kit, adequate supply of medications and three-day supply of food and water, available in case the power goes out.
• Stay indoors and dress warmly.
• Conserve fuel.
• If pipes freeze, remove any insulation and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold.
• If you must go outdoors during inclement weather, dress warmly and wear loose-fitting, layered, lightweight clothing. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
• Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance – infants, elderly people and people with special needs.
• Prior to the onset of winter weather, make sure your vehicle is prepared for weather extremes. Check tires, brakes, the battery and your heating and defrosting systems. Change anti-freeze if needed.

A full list of tips can be found in the City’s Emergency Preparedness Guide, which is available on the City’s website at www.naperville.il.us/emergencyprepguide.aspx. 

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency has also developed a preparedness guide that includes valuable information about how to prepare a winter storm survival car kit, driving safety tips and how to prepare yourself and your loved ones for a winter storm. This document, along with winter advisory terminology and storm tips from the American Red Cross, is available to view athttp://ready.illinois.gov/during/winterstorms.htm. 

The city utilizes a variety of communication methods to inform residents and businesses about emergency situations such as winter weather events. Ways to stay connected with the city in these instances include:

• City website www.naperville.il.us
• City Facebook/Twitter accounts at www.facebook.com/NapervilleIL and http://twitter.com/NapervilleIL
• Government access TV station WCNC (Ch. 6 – WOW, Ch. 10 – Comcast and Ch. 99 – AT&T)
• Informational radio station WPFP 1610AM 

Warming Centers
During normal business hours, Monday through Friday, residents can seek shelter from winter weather elements at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St. Other shelters are available at the following locations: 

• County administrative buildings
• Libraries
• Park District facilities
• Senior centers
• Shopping malls
• Township offices
• Other public places

For more information on winter weather, including terminology, warning and advisory criteria and snowfall statistics, visit the National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville winter weather webpage at www.crh.noaa.gov/lot/?n=winter. 

For more information on the city of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us. Sign up to receive the latest news on the city of Naperville’s projects and initiatives via email at www.naperville.il.us/enews.aspx.

Submitted by the City of Naperville