With the threat of icy weather bearing down on the Scenic City...the Red Cross and Hamilton County Emergency services are on standby.
"We are prepared to upgrade our response if needed, but right now we are in standby mode, our folks are ready to be activated if need be, but with a 10th on an inch of ice I don't know if it will be necessary that we'll have to do that, but we are prepared to in case we have to," says Tony Reavley, Hamilton County Director of Emergency Services.
"When they ask how the Red Cross prepares, we do three things, we have a plan, we put a kit together and we stay informed, We'd ask the public to do the same thing, that they develop a plan for their house that they put together a kit of items that they might need, and that they stay informed," says John Hitchens, Emergency Services director for the Red Cross.
When freezing weather hits, running out for bread and milk is the wrong way to go.
"You should have a first aid kit, you should have some water available, you should have some canned items, people always joke about running to the store and getting milk and bread, but what you really need is water and non-perishable items. A lot of the household thing, make sure you have an adequate supply of your medicine that you are not going to run out," adds Hitchens.
The biggest worry is expected to be the morning commute. Hamilton County Emergency preparedness says there are trouble spots you should avoid.
"Always the higher elevations, always the bridges and the underpasses, exposed surfaces that can have air flowing on the top and on the bottom of them," says Reavley.
And if you have to drive always take an extra second to be safe.
"Leave early, give yourself plenty of time, maintain a large distance between you and the car in front of you, be prepared for road closure or road detours, don't get in a hurry, don't rush don't tailgate just those things that are normal safety things and just use common sense. If you don't have to be on the road, don't get on the road."
For more winter weather tips log on to
http://redcross.org or
http://fema.gov
