Group 1, IL Wing
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Safety

Lt. Col. Randall Mitchell

Safety Officer

 

CAP SAFETY PLEDGE

“I pledge to do my part to foster a safe environment during all CAP activities, to be a responsible steward of all CAP resources and to fully prepare myself for the challenging missions that serve America.”

Winter Weather Preparedness Tips

Make sure you have vehicles fueled, enough cash on hand, and have an adequate stock of all prescribed medications.

Have working battery operated radios and flashlights, and be aware that ice events may limit cell phone use due to downed cell phone towers.

You are encouraged to stay in your home and not travel unless it is an emergency.

If you must travel, you should drive carefully and stay away from downed or low hanging power lines. All downed power lines should be reported to local utility companies, not 911.

911 Phone Lines should only be used for bonafide emergencies.

You are encouraged to make sure you know where your family members are at all times and check on neighbors, especially shut-ins who may be without heat in this emergency.

You should be aware of potential carbon monoxide hazards when alternative heat sources are used. You should not use camping stoves or charcoal grills indoors, and emergency generators should be checked for proper operation and adequate fuel supplies should be on hand for potential long term use. Proper fireplace use should also be practiced, since blowing and drifting snow may cause chimneys to become blocked.

Should power outages occur, you should check to see that all appliances are off and there are no unusual natural gas smells around stoves, furnaces and water heaters. If a gas leak is suspected, you should leave your home and call 911 immediately.

Listen to your battery-powered radio or TV, especially for news at the top of each hour, to find out when the power might be restored.

Unplug some of your major appliances. When the power comes back on, all of those appliances can create a drain or power surge. This can harm sensitive equipment. To avoid a power surge when the electricity returns, turn off computers, TVs, stereos and other unnecessary electronic equipment at the power source. Leave a light on so you’ll know when the power is restored.

If you have a generator, do not connect it to your home’s power system unless it has been properly installed and disconnects you from the main power grid when it is operating. If you do not disconnect from the power grid, you can be sending electricity back down the lines; not just to your home. That could be deadly for power company workers.

If you have a regular wood stove or fireplace, you can use it for heat. However, DO NOT USE kerosene heaters, BBQs, or any outdoor type heater inside. Such devices create poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas given off by combustion and could kill.

Check on your elderly neighbors or those who may have medical conditions or use medical machinery that operates on electricity.

If you have to go out, remember that traffic signals may be out during a power outage. Consider each intersection to be a four-way stop.

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