The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for All of South Texas!

Description

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT MONDAY NIGHT TO 6 PM CST TUESDAY.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Mixed wintry precipitation is expected. Light snow, sleet, and icing accumulations are expected. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. WHERE...All of South Texas excluding the barrier islands. WHEN...From midnight Monday Night to 6 PM CST Tuesday.

WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS:

Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:

Persons are urged to stay indoors until conditions improve. If you must go outside, dress in layers. Several layers of clothes will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Cover exposed skin to reduce your risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Gloves, a scarf, and a hat will keep you from losing your body heat.
Persons should delay all travel if possible. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility. Leave plenty of room between you and the motorist ahead of you, and allow extra time to reach your destination. Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns. Make sure your car is winterized and in good working order.
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HERE ARE SOME SAFE TIPS FOR HEATING YOUR HOME:

Electrical heaters

If you are using a space heater, make sure it is three feet away from anything flammable. This includes clothing, which can catch fire if you stand too close.

Keep your space heater on a level surface so that it does not tip over.

Some space heaters have safety features that can help to prevent fires, but every space heater is different. Check the manual to be sure that you understand the safety features of your space heater.

If you are using a cord to plug in any type of electrical heater, make sure the cord is in good shape. Do not place a cord where someone could trip over it.

Do not keep extension cords plugged in around the clock, since they are unable to shut off in the event of overheating. Instead, use a power strip with an automatic shutoff feature.

Before you buy a new heater, be sure that it has been certified to meet safety standards. UL listing is the gold standard for heaters and many other types of electrical appliances in the U.S. Check for the “UL Listed” label to determine if the product meets this standard.

Fireplaces

Remember that flammable soot residue can build up in your chimney over time. If you want to use your fireplace, you should have your chimney inspected by a company every year prior to using it.

Keep any flammable materials at least three feet away from your fireplace.

Never use gasoline to start a fire in your fireplace.

Never burn charcoal in your fireplace. Use natural wood or artificial logs designed for fireplaces.

Keep your damper open to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.

Do Not Use:

You should only heat your home using devices that are designed for heating. Other methods can be dangerous not just because of the fire hazard but because some of them produce toxic fumes. During my career, I have seen firsthand how improperly used devices can turn deadly.

Don’t bring equipment inside that should be kept outside, such as generators and grills. Both of these can produce carbon monoxide.

Gas stove ranges can also produce harmful fumes and create a fire hazard when used improperly.

You might think that an oven would be safe since its function is to produce heat; however, leaving it on solely to produce heat can cause an electrical overload or ignite food residue in or around the oven.

Our community is fortunate to have warming shelters operated by local churches and nonprofits during overnight freezes. If you do not have reliable heating, consider going to a warming shelter. You can also minimize heat loss by closing the doors to rooms you are not using. Both of these are better than endangering yourself or your family through unsafe heating methods.

The Victoria Fire Department provides free smoke alarms to residents, and we will even install them for you. Keep in mind that you will need a separate carbon monoxide detector if you own a device that can produce carbon monoxide.

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