Winter Weather Awareness Week in Missouri concludes today, and Northwest Missouri State University is reminding residents to prepare for the season’s harsh conditions.
The university is encouraging students and community members to take time now to create an emergency kit and safety plan. Recommended items include non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, first-aid supplies and extra batteries.
Drivers are advised to keep blankets, energy bars, a shovel, and salt or sand in their vehicles in case of roadside emergencies. The university also urges residents to ensure alternate heat sources — such as fireplaces, kerosene heaters, and generators — are working properly. Generators should only be operated outdoors, and homes should have functioning carbon monoxide detectors installed.
Officials emphasize caution with space heaters, which account for about one-third of home heating fires. They should always be turned off before leaving a room or going to bed.
Additional winter weather safety tips can be found at mo.gov/winter-weather-safety.
