With the round of snow winter just dumped on us (and threats of more in the forecast), are you prepared for possible power outages? Watch this video from FEMA and make sure you’re ready, should you lose power.

It’s a rough time of year. You might be craving the taste of steaks or veggies off the grill, but braving the cold to get that flavor just doesn’t seem worth it. Some people might consider just taking their grill into their garage and consider the issue solved. 

You shouldn’t ever do this, though. Grills designed for outdoor use emit carbon monoxide (a small amount of which can kill you) and being in an enclosed space doesn’t allow for proper ventilation. 

For more safety tips on indoor grilling (and some tasty looking recipes), check out The Spruce Eats.

Winter is here and the ice is likely to freeze over some of the ponds and lakes in the area. With such a beautiful sight, you might be tempted to try to go skating on these frozen bodies. Do you know how to tell when it’s safe to do so, though? 

Read this piece on The Clymb to find out how to tell what kind of ice is safe to walk/skate on and how to stay safe out there!

Winter finally decided to hit us with snow and ice, it seems. With some predictions showing accumulations of 2 to 4 inches in the Yelm area for Friday (February 8) and Saturday (February 9), are you prepared for the coming weather?

Check out these tips from Ready.gov on staying safe and warm.

South Sound 2-1-1 is a comprehensive information and referral line that serves Pierce, Thurston, and Lewis counties to connect people with health and human resources. 

Callers dial 2-1-1 to access an Information and Referral Specialist (9am – 5pm, Monday through Friday).

Information and Referral Specialists offer compassion and understanding for callers and all calls are confidential. 

To learn more about this free service, visit uwpc.org/stable-individuals-south-sound-2-1-1.

“Power outages can happen any time of the year. Make sure you and your family know the steps to take during a blackout.”

CALL IF YOU CAN – TEXT IF YOU CAN’T

TEXT TO 9-1-1 is not a replacement to a voice call to 9-1-1 in an emergency situation, but rather is an enhancement to reach 9-1-1 services in specific situations such as:

• The caller is hearing/voice impaired
• A medical emergency that renders the person incapable of speech
• When speaking out loud would put the caller in danger, such as a home invasion, domestic violence situation or an active shooter scenario
• Any other emergency that makes it impossible to speak out loud

For more information about this service, click here.

With winter and the holidays here, many people may not keep fire safety in mind. Here are a few tips to consider when ensuring your home is safe and ready for all the winter festivities you have planned.

1. Check your furnace. It truly is worth every cent to hire a professional to annually inspect and service your furnace. Better to go through the inspection than risk a broken furnace in the dead of winter, right?

2. Get your chimneys and vents checked. If you light fires frequently, you should hire a chimney sweep about once per year, since fireplaces produce creosote (which is highly flammable). You should also try to make sure that the wood you burn is dry so it produces less smoke.

3. Test smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be in prominent places through the house, especially rooms like the kitchen or bedroom. You should also make sure that the batteries are working properly. 

4. Cover the fireplace with a screen. Tempered glass or a metal screen helps protect sparks from leaving the fireplace. Even so, make sure that children and pets sit at least three feet away when you light a fire in the fireplace.

5. Beware of lit candles. Candles can set the mood for relaxation, and that’s how they get forgotten or knocked over by kids or pets. Light candles only when you’re around to watch them and blow them out when you’re ready to leave the room. Ditto for cigarettes, pipes, etc. If you’re going to smoke, try to do it outside.

Read more tips here.