With the potential of bad weather over the weekend, State Police are reminding everyone to drive safely and use some common sense if you decide to venture out this weekend.
State Police Lieutenant Joseph Loughran of the Indiana Barracks says that if the snow and ice arrive as expected on Saturday, you may want to re-think any travel plans. They also recommend that your car be checked out to see if it is okay for Winter Travel. This includes checking the tread on your tires, making sure the lights work and checking all liquid levels, including keeping at least a half-tank of gas in the tank at all times. They also recommend carrying an extra bottle of Windshield Washer fluid and to have an emergency kit that includes jumper cables, ice scraper, shovel, gloves, blanket, bottled water, and first aid supplies among other items.
Safety efforts must also be present in the home as well, that according to the American Red Cross. They say that home heating units are the second leading cause of home fires, with cooking being number one, and the National Fire Protection Organization says that heater-related fires are responsible for 19% of home deaths.
In addition to making sure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work, the Red Cross recommends making sure that heaters have enough space to operate by making sure that kids, pets and things that burn are kept away from the heater. If you have a fire in the fireplace, never leave it unattended. If you use a portable heater, turn it off before you go to bed, keep it away from flammable material and never use the stove to heat the place. Inspect chimneys and flues to make sure they are safe, and if they need cleaned, hire a professional.