South Carolinians urged to prepare for winter dangers during Preparedness week

South Carolinians are being urged to prepare for winter weather during South Carolina Winter Weather Preparedness Week, which runs from December 1 to December 7, 2024.

Although the state’s winters are normally moderate, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, the National Weather Service, and the State Emergency Response Team are asking citizens to prepare for potential winter weather events.

Winter storms can cause dangerous situations such as traffic closures, roadblocks, black ice, toppled trees and power lines, and an increased risk of hypothermia. Storms may also cause flooding in coastal and inland areas.

We recommend that residents take the following precautions:

• Add winter materials such as shovels and rock salt to your emergency bag.
• Stockpiling heating fuel can help you prepare for potential isolation in your home, as usual fuel sources may become unavailable.
• To prevent freezing in cold weather, wrap pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to trickle slightly.
• Learn how to turn off water valves in the event of a busted pipe.
• To avoid lethal carbon monoxide poisoning, use portable generators carefully during power outages and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Make sure your fireplace has a robust screen to keep sparks out. Cool the ashes before storing them in a metal container located a safe distance from your residence.
• Have a professional inspect and clean your chimneys once a year to prevent creosote buildup, which is extremely flammable.
• Have your vehicle serviced to guarantee that it is ready for the winter season.
• Equip each car with a winter emergency kit that includes a shovel, windshield scraper, flashlight, battery-powered radio, water, snacks, matches, additional hats, socks, mittens, a first aid kit, medications, blankets, road salt, booster cables, emergency flares, and a neon distress flag.

We also encourage households to download the SC Manager App. This software allows users to make emergency plans, manage supplies, find open emergency shelters, and communicate with loved ones. The kit also includes a torch, a locating whistle, and a method for reporting damage.

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