By Pamela Singleton, Sonitrol Pacific Director of Communications
Posted December 17, 2008

As a native Portlander, I have little experience with snow and ice. About this time each year, we all must re-acclimate to navigating the unique challenges of a deep freeze.

Here are some tips, courtesy of the Thurston County Sheriff’s Department.
– Stay off of frozen lakes and ponds. While it may look tempting to take a stroll onto the ice, it is extremely dangerous. The ice may look thick; however, it is often thinner than it appears and cannot support the weight of a human or a pet.
– Make sure that you have proper ventilation for generators. Approximately 200 people died last year in the U.S. due to carbon monoxide poisoning from poor ventilation. Do do not bring outdoor heating devices into the home (i.e. barbecues and other cooking equipment) They also produce deadly carbon monoxide.
– Check on your friends and neighbors, especially the elderly.
– Insulate pipes and consider allowing faucets to drip slowly during the cold weather to avoid freezing.
– Make sure that you have plenty of food, water, flashlights, and generator gas on hand.
– Keep extra blankets, food, and water in your vehicle.
– Make sure that outdoor pets have a clean dry shelter from the weather.

Be safe, have fun, drive slowly. Enjoy!