24/7 Emergency ServiceWinter Preparedness
12/7/2016 (Permalink)
California winters seem to carry great variety from year to year. Some winter seasons the rain comes down for multiple days in one week with chilly temperatures. Other years, the rain may never come and balmy seventies will persist until a few surprise days of cold in the spring. Whatever the case may be, as homeowners and community members it is important to be prepared for winter.
Heavy rain fall can lead to flooding in Southern California. The drought conditions cause dry soil, which leads to poor absorption of ground water. Keeping storm drains clear is one way to alleviate the potential of flooding. This includes using sandbags and plastic tarp to create better flow of water. Also, keeping home gutters free of leaves and other environmental debris will lead to a more consistent and controlled flow of water away from your house, to the well functioning storm drains.
Floods can cause millions and millions of dollars in damages and unfortunately great injury to people. This makes community members involvement crucial in flood preparedness. Local fire stations provide free sandbag materials and the Department of Public Works can provide services to clear storm drains, 1-800-675 HELP (4357). Utilizing these local resources can help prevent flooding. Families should also put together disaster kits in case of emergency.
Tips on sandbag barrier: http://www.water.ca.gov/floodmgmt/docs/brochure_floodfightingathome.pdf
Important things to include in your disaster kit:http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/be-red-cross-ready/get-a-kit
In the worst case scenario, if water enters your home it is important to take care of the moisture immediately to prevent hazardous mold from growing. SERVPRO Glendora/San Dimas provides mold remediation services.
While Los Angeles County does not face severely cold of temperatures, it is still important to be educated for if and when the cold does come. According to the Los Angeles County Emergency guide, every year there is carbon monoxide poisoning due to incorrect heating sources. Barbeques, ovens, and stoves should not be used as sources of heat. Make sure that all heating devices, such as central heating and electric heaters, are clean and in appropriate working condition. All types of chimneys should be cleared of debris. As a general practice, it is always a good idea to have a carbon monoxide detector in your home. If you or someone you know needs a safe and warm place to escape possibly health damage temperatures, call 2-1-1 for information on places of shelter.(Information provided by LACOA Emergency Survival Guide)
For the health and safety of you and your family, educate on how to handle severe winter weather conditions in Southern California.
http://storms.ca.gov/factsheet/