Winter Safety Tips for Connecticut’s Coldest Town

By Colleen Gundlach
Norfolk’s designation as the Icebox of Connecticut was not assigned arbitrarily. Anyone who has lived through a winter in this (ice) burg knows well the feeling of arriving at work in another town dressed like Nanook of the North, only to find no snow on the ground and the sun shining brightly. Yes, Norfolkians often see wild winter weather when the rest of the state is comfortable.
People in this town justify driving in miserable conditions saying, “It’s just a little snow…” Still, keeping safe on the road during inclement weather requires some advance planning. The National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office stresses planning for dangerous weather conditions. Cars should be winterized before the cold weather hits. This includes checking fluid levels, especially antifreeze, and having an overall checkup. Keeping a winter survival kit in the car is another tip from the NWS. It might include warm clothes, water and some nuts and dried fruit, as well as a shovel. This is especially important in rural or open areas with little traffic.
Motorists who are stranded in their vehicles are advised to stay in the car until help arrives. Do not leave the car running, however, due to the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure that the car’s exhaust pipe is not plugged with snow, then run the engine only a few minutes with a window slightly open.
Another wintertime hazard is fire. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), structure fires increase in the winter, primarily as a result of heating fires. Throughout the year, heating causes 17 percent of all structure fires, but in the colder months, that average jumps to 27 percent.
USFA stresses that wood stoves, fireplaces and furnaces be installed properly and must have adequate ventilation. Chimneys should be inspected annually. Flammable liquids must never be used to start or accelerate a fire and charcoal should never be burned indoors. It goes without saying that trash and other combustibles should be kept away from heating systems.
Alternative sources of heat such as kerosene heaters have their own set of hazards. Owners should make sure the units have “tip switches” that are designed to automatically shut off the unit should it tip over. And they must never be refilled while it is still operating or hot.
Here in Norfolk we often experience winter storms with large amounts of snowfall, which present their own sets of hazards, especially from damaged or fallen utility lines. Assume that any downed line is electrically charged, including cable television feeds. Frozen water pipes can burst and result in water damage to utilities and appliances, causing them to short out and become an electrocution danger.
Generators are almost a necessity in Norfolk in the wintertime, when storms have been known to knock out power for days. The USFA advises that improperly installed or inadequately maintained generators can be quite hazardous and should always be used outside the home. The carbon monoxide fumes these generators or other fuel-powered machines emit are odorless and can quickly overwhelm residents indoors.
Many people are unaware that it is very important to use the appropriate size and type of power cords to carry the electric load generated. Overloaded cords often overheat and can cause fires.
Pets are also subject to winter’s hazards. The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals suggests that when the temperature is below 20 degrees, all house pets should be kept indoors. Short-haired dogs, cats and puppies should be kept indoors below 40 degrees. They also suggest keeping the pet’s coat well-groomed because matted fur won’t properly protect the animal from the cold. And the tip that goes without saying is to check your garage and driveway for antifreeze puddles. It tastes sweet to pets, but most brands are poisonous if ingested.
So, bundle up and enjoy the beauty of Norfolk in the wintertime, but do so safely. For more information, visit www.usfa.dhs.gov. For a complete list of items to include in a winter survival kit, go to http://www.21stcenturyadventures.com/advice/lists/ winterSurvivalChecklist.html.