Nashville Office of Emergency Management releases list of to prepare for cold weather

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Nashville Office of Emergency Management (OEM) wants people to be ready for the cold temperatures moving into the area, so they have released a list of tips to prepare everyone.

To protect yourself in the cold, the OEM suggests:

• Wearing layers of warn clothes including gloves, hats and insulated boots
• Stay indoors as much as possible and limit your time outside.
• Try yo keep dry to avoid hypothermia as wet clothes lose the ability to stay insulated.

To protect your house from damages that could be brought on by the cold:

• Insulate pipes and let faucets drip to prevent them from freezing
• Check your heating systems and make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are functioning
• Close the doors to unused rooms to conserve heat

To prepare your vehicle should you have to get out and drive:

• Keep your gas tank at least half-full
• Keep an emergency kit with things like blankets, snacks, water, first aid and a flashlight
• Try to avoid traveling unless it’s absolutely necessary

State and local road departments have also been pre-treating major roadways and preparing for the possibly treacherous weather.

By the numbers, we have 477,000 gallons of brine and 67,000 tons of salt, so we’re ready for it," Erin Zeigler said.

Zeigler serves as the Communication Officer for Region 3 of the Tennessee Department of Transportation. She says planning for winter weather is a year-round effort.

“We’re really focusing on North of I-40, so we’re hitting those bridges, overpasses, high-elevation areas,” Zeigler added.

The OEM said that people should also try to help others by checking on elderly and those with limited mobility to make sure they are prepared. You should also bring pets inside and give them extra warmth.

People should also save emergency contacts and resources like local utility companies in case of power outages or urgent needs.

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