Winter Weather Safety Tips  West Central Missouri              

County Offices

• Bates
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Take your farm into the 21st century with tools from University of Missouri Extension to enhance profitability, strengthen communities and protect the environment.

Ready in Three: Be Prepared for any Emergency

At home, school, work and even in our cars, we need to know what to do in an emergency.

Slow Thaw for Frozen Pipes
After days without electricity, people will be anxious to get back to normal.

Don't Rush to Prune Trees After an Ice Storm
Unless iced-up limbs constitute an imminent hazard, the best course might be to wait for a warm spell.

How to Care for Trees With Winter Damage

The weight of ice and snow can break even larger and stronger branches, especially if the wind further taxes the plant’s physical strength.

First Aid for Storm-Damaged Trees

Hasty decisions can often result in removing trees that could have been saved.

How to Save Food After a Power Outage

Whether your freezer and refrigerator are shut off due to storm, forgetfulness or accident, the food safety rules about what to keep or toss are the same.

Guide to Preparing a Disaster Supplies Kit

The supplies you might need following a disaster are items that can help your family endure evacuation or home confinement.

Storing Water for Emergencies

When a disaster occurs and you cannot be sure about the safety of your drinking water, it is good to be prepared.

Safe Drinking Water in an Emergency

Drinking water may be disinfected by one of several methods.

Three Day Emergency Food Supply

An emergency food supply can be helpful when transportation, weather, health or other problems prevent you from getting your usual supply of groceries or meals.

When the Power Goes Out: Food Safety Tips

Do not open a freezer if the power fails. Opening the doors hastens thawing.

Safe Shoveling Tips

Snow shoveling can be especially dangerous. Exercise experts say shoveling heavy snow requires as much energy as running 9 miles per hour!

Tips to avoid winter weather-related injuries

If you must leave your home, go slow and take extra precautions in icy areas.

Kids Susceptible to Frostbite

Parents should be aware that kids playing outdoors for extended periods are susceptible to frostbite and should keep a few safety tips in mind.

Ice Skating Safety

With sudden temperature swings, parents should be alert to the dangers of thin ice before allowing children to skate on the nearest pond or lake

Beware of Hypothermia
After bitter cold, outdoor workers should be aware of hypothermia during warm spells.

Winter Dehydration

Be aware of common symptoms of dehydration: fatigue, headache, dry nasal passages, dry, cracked lips and overall discomfort.

Power Outages Can Lead to Generator Concerns

Gasoline-powered generators can help restore some power to homes, but if used incorrectly the generators can be deadly.

Recognizing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Everyone is at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Slides and slips
Misconceptions contribute to accidents on icy roadways.

Ready to Hit the Road This Winter

With colder weather, it is imperative that you make sure your car is winterized.

Winterize Your Car: Pack Essential Items Now

Idling is least efficient way to warm engine

There are better ways to warm an engine than sit letting it idle.

Preparing Vehicles for Winter Weather

Cold weather is hard on cars and trucks and usually causes at least one vehicle around the farm or home to have poor-starting problems.

Driving in Snow and Ice

As the Missouri Department of Transportation prepares for the upcoming winter weather, the agency also alerts motorists to a soon-to-be-familiar refrain: In Ice and Snow, Take It Slow.

Basic Chain Saw Safety

However, in the hands of a careless, inexperienced or tired operator, the chain saw can be very hazardous.

Felling Trees Safely

Felling a tree can literally make or break your day! Putting the tree where you want it to land facilitates the rest of your operations.

Wood stoves

• Wood stoves and their installation - Most home fires involving wood stoves are the result of improper installation or operation.

·         Wood stove maintenance and operation. Learn to operate and maintain the stove so it can provide warmth and comfort in a safe and efficient manner.

• Chimneys for wood stoves - All wood-burning stoves need a tight, well-designed and well-constructed chimney to maximize efficiency and minimize the danger of unwanted fire.
• Catalytic combustors - When you are using the catalytic combustor, you should burn only natural wood.
• Cleaning stovepipes and chimneys - Increased use of wood-heating equipment brings with it the need for constant, careful attention to assure the safe and efficient use of this heat source.

Sizing and Safety: Standby Generators

A standby power generator can be good insurance to keep critical facilities running,

Shelterbelts: Things to Consider

Shelterbelts provide living snow fences, wildlife habitat, noise barriers and help conserve energy for adjacent dwellings.

Winter Safety after an Ice Storm

More people die in winter cold waves than in any other weather phenomena.

Winter Weather Awareness

Review the hazards and safety rules of winter weather to prepare for winter.

Bring a Little Summer into Your Home

During a long bleak winter, the use of artificial light to grow indoor plants is one way to bring a little summer into your home.

Additional Information Sources on the Web:

State Emergency Management Agency

sema.dps.mo.gov/semapage.htm

National Weather Service, Springfield, MO

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/sgf/?n=winter_briefing

Iowa State University Winter Awareness

www.extension.iastate.edu/General/winter.html

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA: Winter storms and extreme cold

Dehydration in the Winter: Elderly At Risk

Preparation before winter storms and severe cold

What to do during a winter storm

Note: Links to commercial websites do not imply endorsement.

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