NJOEM Encourages Winter Weather Preparedness

WEST TRENTON– In preparation for the anticipated winter weather, Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and Director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, is encouraging all New Jersey residents to participate in Winter Weather Preparedness.
New Jersey residents are strongly encouraged to discuss with family members the potential effects of winter storms as well as preparing their homes and vehicles to safely manage the winter season potentially challenging conditions.
“By preparing for winter weather before the first snow flakes fall, you are protecting yourself and your family from the winter elements that sometimes affect our state,” said Colonel Fuentes.
The following is a brief list of general winter weather preparedness tips:
Travel Items to Include: All cars should be equipped with road maps, cell phone, shovel, windshield scraper, towrope, booster cables, and a brightly colored cloth to use as a distress signal. A bag of sand or non-clumping cat litter is recommended to spread under tires if stuck in snow.
Proper Travel Notification: Drivers should inform someone that they are taking a trip, where they are going, the routes that will be traveled and when they are expected to return. Upon reaching their destination, drivers should call to report arrival. If traveling a long distance, please remember to fill up on fuel prior to making your trip. Take frequent brakes to avoid fatigue.
On the Road: Always follow the rules of the road and adhere to the following guidelines:
• Always buckle your seat belt.
• If driving on snow or ice, start slowly and brake gently. Begin braking early when approaching an intersection.
• If the vehicle starts to slide, ease off the gas pedal or brakes. Steer into the direction of the skid until regaining traction, and then straighten the vehicle. For vehicles with anti-lock brakes, apply steady pressure. Breaking properly will help in a skid.
• Visibility and speed:
o In fog, drive with headlights set on dim or use fog lights.
o In rain, fog, snow or sleet, stay within the limits of your vision. If it is too difficult to see, pull off the road and stop in a safe location.
o Drive slowly and increase following distance. The driver should adjust vehicle speed for conditions and match the flow of traffic.
o Watch for slick spots and be prepared to react.
Be a Good Neighbor:
During a storm New Jersey residents with special needs may need additional assistance. Be a good neighbor and check on elderly members of your community as well as those who are homebound or with limited mobility prior to a storm. New Jersey residents with special needs and/or their caregivers can log on to www.registerreadynj.gov and sign up for the free special needs registry. By registering, first responders will be able to locate and assist those with special needs in the event of an emergency.
Stay Informed:
Actively follow the five-day forecast via television, radio, newspapers, or electronic media (internet) available. NJOEM strongly suggests that all residents with cell phones and email addresses sign up for NJ Alert at www.njalert.gov . NJ Alert is the state’s free, mass text and email notification system. NJ Alert will be utilized during emergencies that impact New Jersey (statewide or regionally). When applicable, NJ Alert will be used in addition to the Emergency Alert System (EAS).
“Last year, New Jersey experienced several strong winter storms. The preparedness efforts of New Jersey’s residents and first responder’s were crucial to navigating the harsh winter weather New Jersey experienced last year. I encourage New Jersey residents to remain committed to their winter preparedness responsibilities before the onset of adverse weather conditions,” Fuentes added.
Additionally, a winter weather safety guide can be found on the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management website at http://www.ready.nj.gov/plan/winter.html. Logging on to the website will allow individuals to access, download, and print valuable winter storm related information from the state’s emergency management site free of charge, anytime day or night.