Let it Snow! And Remember to Stay Safe and #FDNYSmart

I love the snow! Building snowmen, getting into snowball fights with my friends and sledding down hills are just some of my favorite winter activities, but it’s also important to remember fire safety during a winter storm.

Here are some of my tips to stay safe and warm during extreme weather conditions.

• Stock up on essential groceries, make sure you have your shovels out and some ice melt ready to go.
• It’s also a good idea to prepare a power outage kit complete with candles and flashlights in case your area loses electricity.
• When trying to stay warm indoors, it’s important to know that electric space heaters can be extremely dangerous.
• Be sure your heater automatically shuts off to prevent fires and never use an extension cord to plug it in.
• Stay away from your space heater to prevent being burned.
• And make sure your furry friends keep away from it, too!

If your community loses power:

• Gather your flashlights and candles and stay calm!
• Take a flashlight with you when walking around your house to make sure you don’t fall and hurt yourself.
• When lighting candles, place them away from anything flammable and keep your matches and lighters in a safe place.
• Never leave a candle unattended or burning through the night while you and your family are asleep.

When it’s time to go outside and shovel, remember that your safety is more important than getting rid of all that snow.

• Bend your legs and don’t lift with your back when shoveling.
• Dress warmly and cover all your extremities, especially your ears, nose, hands, and feet!
• Be sure to sprinkle some ice melt on your sidewalks to help prevent ice from forming.
• If you get too tired or run out of breath, stop shoveling and go warm up inside. It’s okay to take a break and catch your breath.

Lending a paw to your elderly neighbors is also a helpful way to keep your community safe during a winter storm!

And don’t forget: shovel out your hydrant!

Enjoy the snow and remember to stay #FDNYsmart!