The Southeast Utah Health Department wanted to share some Winter Safety Reminders to help make this winter season a little easier. Castle Country Radio was able to sit down with Emergency Preparedness Director, Chet Ingram who took time to share those reminders with listeners.

For those that travel a lot during the winter months, they should have an emergency kit and supplies in their car just in case of roadside emergencies.  “You know we like to encourage people to make sure they have good tires; they keep a full tank of gas. Keep things in your car to prepare in case you get stranded, you know keep some bottles of water, some little snacks, blankets, and then roadside safety kits, because you never know if you are going to get stranded somewhere and be in your car for an extended period of time,” stated Ingram. Another thing to remember, is to make sure all your fluids in your vehicle are full, especially your windshield washer fluid.

There are also safety tips to remember around your home as you prepare for the winter months. “You know you have a coal burning stove, wood burning stove, make sure your chimneys are clean. Make sure you have your furnaces serviced, that you can have heat available. It’s always good to beef up your food storage a little bit, because you don’t know if you’re going to get one of those nasty storms that keeps you homebound for a little bit,” explained Ingram. Keep snow shovels and ice melt handy so that you can clear pathways around your property.

Self-care during the winter months is also very important. “You see increase and hear an increase of people having heart attacks and those types of things, when they get out shoveling snow and stuff like that. So don’t overexert yourself you know be aware of your personal limits. Make sure you have lots of warm clothes on so you don’t come down sick. Just not pushing yourself to the point of exertion or causing yourself an issue is where we want you to be,” said Ingram.

To learn more about Winter Safety Reminders visit the Southeast Utah Health Department website at https://www.seuhealth.com/ as they will be sharing various reminders with visitors.