The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is reminding Polk County residents of a few safety tips for the upcoming winter season. This week is Winter Hazard Awareness Week across Minnesota, and each day has a theme.
MONDAY
Monday’s theme is a Winter Weather Overview, and Justin Swang from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office says when conditions are harsh, it’s crucial only to drive when necessary. “The main thing is to make sure you’re planning ahead when traveling or planning outdoor activities,” said Swang. “The National Weather Service issues out alerts and advisories for winter weather, so pay attention to those, and it’s best to not travel in a blizzard or harsh conditions, but if you have to travel, be extra cautious and aware.”
TUESDAY
Tuesday’s theme is Outdoor Winter Safety. While we all have activities we want to partake in this winter, Tom Brault of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said dressing appropriately is a must to ensure you stay safe during those activities. “The biggest thing is just dressing warm and making sure you have a hat and warm gloves to help keep your body heat,” said Brault. “With snowmobiling and ice fishing, just make sure you have the proper equipment and that if something were to go wrong, you have a way to communicate to someone.”
Brault also said that any ice under two inches thick should be left alone; the ice should be at least 5-6 inches thick for snowmobiles and 8-12 for small cars and trucks.
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday’s theme is Winter Fire Safety. In the winter season, things to be aware of are carefully hanging holiday lights, holiday displays and keeping all decorations at least three feet from heating sources. You can also remember to frequently check your furnace and chimneys to ensure they’re operating correctly.
THURSDAY
Thursday’s theme is Indoor Winter Safety, and Sandy Cortez of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said there is one main thing to be aware of. “A big thing for indoor safety in the winter is being aware of Carbon Monoxide,” said Cortez. “Things to know about Carbon Monoxide is that it’s odorless, tasteless, and invisible. So, a way to help with this is to make sure you have Carbon Monoxide alarms installed in all areas of the house. Symptoms include vomiting, headaches, nausea, and disorientation. So those are a few things to keep in mind heading into the winter season.”
FRIDAY
Friday’s theme is Winter Driving, and Mike Norland of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office says having the right supplies with you could save your life. “Making sure you have your cell phone and that its fully charged so you can make a phone call in the event of an emergency is critical,” said Norland. “One other big thing to have in your vehicles is a winter survivor kit. That could include boots, gloves, flashlight, jacket, snacks, a variety of tools that you could use in case of an emergency.”
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is hopeful people can heed these warnings and take winter safety seriously. Polk County is covered by the National Weather Service’s Grand Forks Office. You can get additional weather information by visiting their website at: www.weather.gov/fgf.
