Welcome!

Be safe during cold weather!

There may be a temptation to use other heat sources to heat your home. Only use sources that are meant for indoor use and be certain to check devices such as space heaters for frayed or damaged power cords. Also make sure the circuits they are plugged into are not overloaded. It is better, and safer, to layer on additional clothing or blankets rather than using a potentially unsafe device.

DO NOT use candles, propane grills or portable stoves, or your kitchen stove as an alternate heat source. Besides not being designed for this purpose, they can easy cause a fire or generate deadly carbon monoxide -- an odorless, colorless gas that can render you unconscious and kill you.

During prolonged cold periods, check frequently on anyone who may be more impacted by the weather, such as those with special needs, or older family members, friends, and neighbors.

For additional information review the Winter Safety Tips from the Ready.Gov website.

Are you prepared for the colder temperatures?

If you have to be outdoors... During the severe cold, you need to take precautions to prevent frostbite or hypothermia.

• Dress warmly and stay dry; wear hats, gloves or mittens and several layers of clothing.
• Do not ignore shivering. It is an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Confusion and drowsiness are signs of hypothermia; seek medical attention immediately.
• Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color to the affected skin area. The first signs of frostbite are redness or pain; seek medical attention immediately.

Shoveling Snow: Remember that shoveling snow is more stressful on your heart. Take smaller amounts of snow with your shovel and take frequent breaks. Know the warning signs of a heart attack, and STOP if you experience any of them and call 9-1-1.  If you know of someone who may be unable to clear their walk or driveway, please offer to help them if you can. Get a group together to do the work -- it's faster and easier with many hands!

Check on your Neighbors: If you have elderly neighbors, or neighbors with special needs, check on them regularly especially if there is an extended power outage or severe cold weather.

Portable heaters: If you need to use portable heaters for any reason, please remember to keep them away from curtains, furniture, blankets, and other items that could catch on fire if overheated. Do not use extension cords to connect an eletric heater.  If you have an indoor kerosene heater, make sure to allow it to cool down before refilling it OUTSIDE. Never refill a hot heater.

Never use a stove or oven to heat your home, or use open flames to thaw frozen pipes. Both of these actions can cause a house fire.

Power Outages: We have the phone numbers for the primary utility companies servicing the Avon Grove area posted on our website (see the sidebar). Write them down next to your home phone or place them on a note on your refrigerator. You should program them into your cell phone to make them easier to locate if necessary.  If your utility company offers automatic alerts for outages, make sure you sign up if you have a device capable of receiving those alerts.

Generators: If you need to use a generator, make sure you put it in a location OUTDOORS and AWAY from doors and windows. A generator will create carbon monoxide which will kill you if it accumulates -- It is both odorless and colorless so you won't know there is a problem unless you have CO Detectors in the key living areas in your home. If you or a family member experience confusion, headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and chest pain, move IMMEDIATELY to FRESH AIR, open doors/windows, Call 9-1-1.  NEVER run a generator indoors for any reason. It is meant to be run outdoors only!

Run generators periodically, rather than constantly.  This saves on fuel and allows cool-down time so you can refill fuel tanks more safely.  Refrigerators and freezers will hold their temperatures if doors are kept closed and only opened when absolutely necessary.