GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Wisconsin Emergency Management says if you must travel, it is important to have an emergency kit with supplies to help you in an emergency.
Spokesperson Andrew Beckett says if you have not looked at yours recently, you may want to do that.
“Even if you have an emergency kit, you do need to review it to make sure the supplies in there have not expired or that they need to be replaced.”
He also urges those traveling to check 511wi.gov which shows road conditions.
“If you have to travel major routes, it is important to know what those roads will look like before you head out.”
It is also important to remember to allow extra time for travel, keep a safe distance from vehicles and do not speed.
Other tips from Wisconsin Emergency Management
Get supplies for your home. Make sure your home emergency kit is stocked with food that can be stored and prepared without electricity. For a complete list of kit, items go to https://readywisconsin.wi.gov/make-a-kit/kits-at-home/
During the bitter cold, stay indoors if you can. If you must be outside, wear multiple layers of clothing and make sure you cover your head, ears, and hands. Cold weather puts extra stress on the heart. Activities such as shoveling snow could cause a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse.
Never run a gasoline, propane heater or a grill inside your home or unventilated garage. They can release deadly carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide causes headaches, dizziness, confusion and ultimately death. If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, call 911 and get out of the home immediately.
Frostbite can occur on exposed skin in less than 30 minutes. Symptoms include a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, ear tips and the tip of the nose. If you see these signs, seek medical care immediately! Hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature) symptoms include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness in adults and children. In infants, symptoms can include bright red or cold skin and very low energy. If you notice anyone exhibiting any of the symptoms of hypothermia, seek medical care immediately!
Pets also need extra care when the temperatures fall. They should be brought inside when the temperature reaches 30˚F with the wind chill. Dogs and cats can get frost-bitten ears, nose, and feet if left outside during bitter cold weather. Chemicals used to melt snow and ice can also irritate pets’ paws.
