Manley Highlights Cold Weather Safety Tips

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – With temperatures expected to drop to potentially dangerous levels over the next few days, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is highlighting a variety of tips for residents to use to prepare for cold weather conditions.

“As temperatures continue to drop as we get deeper into the winter months, now is the perfect time for residents to winterize their homes and vehicles,” said Manley. “Many issues that arise due to the cold weather are preventable, so I highly encourage residents to take a few moments to prepare themselves and help keep themselves and their families safe over the next few months.”

The National Weather Service (NWS) has a number of simple tips that can be implemented to help residents prepare for dangerous weather conditions. For preparing your home, the NWS advises that residents insulate their walls, attics, doors, and windows, stock up on emergency heating equipment and fuel, and keep an emergency kit including items such as non-perishable food, a first aid kit, blankets and sleeping bags. To winterize your car, the NWS suggests keeping the gas tank as full as possible to reduce condensation buildup in the tank and maintaining a storm kit in the car with items such as blankets, extra clothing, jumper cables, a flashlight, and matches.

“While we are fortunate that most of the time the cold is just an inconvenience, it’s always good to be prepared for when it becomes more serious than that,” said Manley. “I hope residents will join me by taking this opportunity to take a few precautions to stay safe from the cold as well as checking on our neighbors and family members.”