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-Press Release, Granville County Government 

In North Carolina, Dec. 6 through Dec. 12 is Winter Weather Preparedness Week. Granville County Emergency Services urges all residents to plan now before potentially dangerous winter weather arrives:

Be ready for winter weather by:

• Keeping at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food in your home;
• Dressing warmly, wearing multiple layers of thin clothing instead of a single layer of thick clothing;
• Keeping fresh batteries on hand for weather radios and flashlights;
• Storing an emergency kit in your vehicle which includes an ice scraper, jumper cables, a tow chain, sand/salt, blankets, a flashlight, a first aid kit and a road map, as well as masks and hand sanitizer to combat COVID-19;
• Keeping alternative heating sources and fire extinguishers on hand and knowing how to use them;
• Properly venting kerosene heaters and keeping electric generators outside and away from open window or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning;
• Using a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio to monitor changing weather conditions.

If you must travel during severe winter weather conditions:

• Be sure to leave plenty of room between you and other vehicles;
• Reduce your speed, if driving along snow or ice-covered roadways;
• Pull off the highway, if conditions worsen, and remain in your vehicle. Do not set out on foot unless you can see a building close by where you can take shelter, if needed;

Don’t forget to include pets in your emergency plans. To keep animals safe during winter weather:

• Make an emergency supply kit for your pet that includes medical records, a first aid kit, enough canned/dry food and water for three to seven days, a pet travel bag or carrier;
• Do not leave pets outside for long periods of time;
• Ensure your pet has a well-fitting collar;
• Bring pets inside when temperatures drop below freezing;
• Move livestock and other animals to a shelter location with food and water.

Granville County Emergency Services reminds all residents to be prepared for inclement weather throughout the year, and to stay informed about the hazards where they live.

For information about enrolling in CodeRED, Granville County’s free emergency notification system, please visit www.granvillecounty.org or call Granville County Emergency Services at (919) 603-1310. For more information on how to prepare for winter storms, visit www.readync.org.