WISCONSIN RAPIDS (WAOW) -
With some winter weather possibly on the way, now is the
time to take steps to keep you and your family safe on the roads.
Authorities say the first snowstorm of the year can be the
most dangerous. Wood County Dispatch says it sees a surge of 911 calls during
the season's first snow.
"There's a great increase. Some are accidents, and that's
because of the weather. Some are just slide-offs, and that's because of the
weather and because of the people," said Kelly Zens, Wood County Dispatch
Manager.
The Wood County Highway Department says crews have been hard
at work getting ready for the first flakes to fall.
Authorities say they coat the roads with anti-icing
solutions before weather conditions become severe, but they still urge drivers
to avoid being out on slick roads.
"One thing you need to do is watch the weather, and just
make sure you read ahead because if you've got a condition coming, stay off the
road. If it's icy or they're predicting snow, just give us some time to apply
our chlorides and plow," said Douglas Passineau, Wood County Highway
Commissioner.
Officials at the Wood County Highway Department say there
are easy steps you can take to keep you and your family safe as temperatures
begin to drop.
"When you do travel, give everybody plenty of room. Make
sure your windshields are clean, that type of thing. That will help provide
safe travel," said Passineau.
Authorities also want to remind drivers to keep an emergency
kit in their cars with a blanket, a hat, gloves, a shovel, food, drinks and a
first aid kit.
Inside your home – state officials want you to take
precautions to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Snow drifts can block outside furnace vents, so you're asked
to keep those clear. Also, make sure you
have a working carbon monoxide detector.
All simple things you can do now, before the winter weather
hits Wisconsin.
For more information about how to prepare a winter survival
kit, visit http://ready.wi.gov/winter/HowToMakeAKit.asp.
