[Press Release] : Winter weather forecast to affect the central Missouri area through the weekend

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Chief Steven Sapp - (573) 499-7035

Winter weather forecast to affect the central Missouri area through the
weekend

COLUMBIA, MO (January 12, 2007) -- With the potential for a powerful
winter storm to affect the area through the weekend, the Columbia Fire
Department reminds you that being prepared is the key to safety. Below
are winter driving tips and safety tips in the event of power outages. 

* Plan your travel and check the latest weather and road condition
reports to avoid hazardous travel. 
* If you don't have to travel, stay at home. Traffic crashes are a
leading cause of death during winter weather.
* Buckle up! Seat belts save lives. While airbags also reduce
traffic-related injuries and deaths, airbags are designed to work with
seatbelts.
* Children should be properly secured in approved and properly
installed child passenger safety seats.
* SLOW down. Allow adequate breaking distances between you and the
traffic in front of you. Allow plenty of extra travel time. 
* Approach intersections with caution. Other vehicles may not be able
to stop and enter the intersection causing a side impact crash. Side
impact crashes often cause serious injury and death.
* Fully check and winterize your vehicle before the winter season
begins. 
* Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the fuel tank and fuel
lines. 
* Try not to travel alone. 
* Let someone know your timetable and primary and alternate routes. 
* Drive defensively and watch for the other guy.
* Carry a winter storm survival kit: Blankets/sleeping bags; flashlight
with extra batteries; first-aid kit; knife; high calorie, non perishable
food; extra clothing to keep dry; a large empty can and plastic cover
with tissues and paper towels for sanitary purposes; a smaller can and
waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking water; sack of sand (or cat
litter); shovel; windshield scraper and brush; tool kit; tow rope;
booster cables; water container; compass and road maps. 

As in past years, local emergency crews will place yellow police/fire
scene tape on the antenna of any vehicle that has left the roadway and
has been checked. When reporting a vehicle off the road, please try to
note if there is a yellow piece of scene tape on the vehicle. If so, the
vehicle has been checked and it does not need to be reported again. 

With the forecast calling for accumulating ice it brings the
possibility of power outages. While it's unlikely your power will fail,
should it happen, please note the following safety advice:

* Use candles and oil lamps with care. Don't leave candles or lamps
burning when you leave the room or retire for the night. Don't place
candles or lamps close to combustibles such as bedding, drapes, papers,
etc. 
* Use caution with generators. Do not try to hook the generator in
line with your breaker/fuse box. Disastrous results can occur in the
home and for line workers if power from the generator back feeds through
the power distribution lines. 
* Use caution with portable heating devices which use combustible
liquids for fuels such as kerosene or camping fuels. 
* Be aware of the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. Install
and maintain a working CO alarm. Do not use charcoal grills or camping
stoves indoors for cooking or heating. Charcoal produces huge quantities
of CO which can be deadly in a matter of minutes. Do not start cars in
the garage and leave them running. Even with garage doors open, deadly
CO can enter the home and cause injury and death. 

- 30 -
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