WINTERWISE
NOVEMBER 21 2014 A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE AUBURN
HEATING • Set the thermostat to 68°F or lower when you’re at home and awake, and lower 7°F to 10°F when you’re asleep or away. Install and properly set a programmable thermostat to make this happen automatically. • If you have baseboard heaters, turn the thermostat down or off in unoccupied rooms and close the door. Do not do this if you have a furnace or heat pump. • Have your heating system inspected regularly by a professional to ensure it’s not only operating efficiently, but safely, too. • Clean or replace your furnace or heat pump filters regularly throughout the heating season— about every two months. • Keep areas in front of baseboard and wall heaters, room registers and return air grills clean and clear of furnishings, curtains or other objects that block air flow.
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WATER HEATING • Set the water heater thermostat to 120°F or the “low” setting. • Find and fix leaks in fixtures and pipes. If your water heater is leaking, replace it. • Install inexpensive pipe insulation on all exposed hot water pipes and on the first three feet of exposed cold water pipe that is connected to the water heater. • Wash clothes in cold water and take shorter showers. • Use the dishwasher rather than hand-washing dishes and don’t prerinse dishes. • Install low-flow, high-performance showerheads and faucet aerators. LIGHTING • Replace incandescent lighting with ENERGY STAR® qualified compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and fixtures, particularly in areas you use most. They use up to 75 percent less energy while lasting 10 times longer. • Choose the right bulb for each room. CFL bulbs come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit nearly every household fixture. • When they do finally burn out, properly recycle CFL bulbs for free at participating retail locations, household hazardous waste facilities and select PSE offices.
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REPORTER REPORTER REPORTER REPORTER
A GUIDE TO WINTER SAFETY & PREPAREDNESS ENERGY-SAVING TIPS FOR YOUR HOME (Puget Sound Energy) Saving energy doesn’t have to be a challenge—you can take simple steps every day to manage your home’s energy use!
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APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONICS • Avoid over-drying laundry and clean the lint filter every time you use it to decrease drying time. • Think about whether you need that second fridge or freezer in the garage or basement. Older units can cost more than $100 a year to power. • When cooking, match pots and pans to the right-sized burner. Use a microwave oven, rather than your stove, to heat food whenever possible. • Many electronics draw power even when turned off. Plug items like TVs, DVD players and game consuls into power strips that you can switch off when not in use. Special “smart” power strips do this automatically. WEATHERIZATION • Use inexpensive weather-stripping and door sweeps to reduce air leaks around entry doors. For a no-cost fix, roll up a bath towel and hold it against the bottom of the door with a weight. • Fill, patch or caulk holes in floors and ceilings connected to unheated spaces. Often, large holes can be found in closets. Weather strip or temporarily seal access doors or hatches leading to unheated upper floors or attics. • Check that your floors, walls, duct system and attic ceiling are properly insulated. To learn more or for personalized advice, call a PSE Energy Advisor at 1-800-562-1482, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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2 • NOVEMBER 21, 2014 • WINTERWISE
INFORMATION ON THE WEB
REGIONAL PUBLIC INFORMATION NETWORK www.rpin.org One-stop resources for news alerts from more than 75 government, transportation, utility, health and emergency response agencies serving citizens in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION www.wsdot.wa.gov Information about road closures, weather problems and real-time alerts
NOAA www.noaa.org National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration CLIFF MASS cliffmass.blogspot.com The Cliff Mass weather blog of the Pacific Northwest
TRAVEL SeaTac Airport www.portseattle.org/sea-tac/Pages/
KING COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT www.kingcounty.gov/safety/prepare
Mountain pass reports www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/
TAKE WINTER BY STORM www.takewinterbystorm.org/ Information for getting prepared and staying informed when bad weather strikes. AMERICAN RED CROSS www.seattleredcross.org/ American Red Cross serving King County: 206-323-2345 or 360-377-3761 In a disaster, the American Red Cross responds with food, shelter and hope.
Washington state travel alerts www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts/ OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION www.ywcaworks.org/programs www.salvationarmy.org/ www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/ www.wanaturalgas.com/ pse.com/ www.seattle.gov/light/ Washington Poison Center (24 hr): 1-800-222-1222
CITY SERVICES
AUBURN Emergency Management: 253-876-1925 emergencyprep@auburnwa.gov www.auburnwa.gov/services/emergency_ preparedness.htm Auburn Alert: (register for telephone or email alerts) www.auburnwa.gov/Emergency/disaster/ Auburn_Alert.asp BLACK DIAMOND Emergency: 253-631-1012 www.ci.blackdiamond.wa.us/emerg_manag.html COVINGTON Emergency Preparedness: www.ci.covington.wa.us/ Click on Departments, Public Works, Emergency Management Sign up for e-alerts, get emergency updates: www.ci.covington.wa.us MAPLE VALLEY Emergency Information at: www.maplevalleywa.gov/
RENTON Emergency Management: 425-430-7000 CodeRED Emergency Notification System (reverse 911): sign up online at www.rentonwa.gov (click on Emergencies tab) Code RED Emergency Notification System: Sign up by phone at 425-430-7000 Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to request a registration form by mail. TUKWILA Emergency Services: 206-971-8740 www.ci.tukwila.wa.us/ Emergency information can be found on Public Access Channel 21 and AM 1640
DON’T BE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD!
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KENT Kent Emergency Management: 253-856-4440 www.kentwa.gov/ CodeRED Emergency Notification System (reverse 911): sign up online at www.kentCodeRED.com CodeRED Emergency Notification System: Sign up by phone at 253-856-4440 Monday thru Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to request a registration form by mail.
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WINTERWISE • NOVEMBER 21, 2014 • 3
RED CROSS:
ESSENTIALS
Are you prepared? Being prepared can change everything. By planning ahead, you can increase the chances of survival for you and your family, not to mention gain peace of mind knowing you are in control. Catastrophes can happen at any time. Preparing for three days will help you make it through many of the disasters you’ll face in the Puget Sound region, including major storms and even small earthquakes. However, to make it through a major catastrophe, like Hurricane Katrina or the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, you’ll need to be prepared for longer, at least 7 to 10 days. Catastrophes can happen at any time and are likely to happen here. Imagine you are at work, on the road, or at home during a catastrophe. How would you communicate with loved ones? Are you prepared to survive without essential services, such as running water, electricity, or phones for 7 to 10 days?
✔ Make a family emergency communication plan, identify an out-of-state contact ✔ Plan for people, pets and property ✔ Review and practice your emergency plan
✔ Build a kit for at least 7 to 10 days ✔ Save important documents/records on USB drives, store one at home and one in a safety deposit box ✔ Create customized kits for home, office and vehicle
✔ Get involved – Create networks of neighbors and co-workers, work together to pool resources ✔ Participate in a training – CPR, first aid, Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) ✔ Learn how to reduce hazards (e.g. shutting off gas supply if needed, strap water heater in place, etc.)
Build a Kit for at Least 7 to 10 Days Imagine if resources aren’t available for seven or more days. You might have to take care of minor injuries and access to resources will likely be limited. Help your family be better prepared by gathering additional supplies and customizing the list to meet your needs. Once you have the basics, think about items you could use to help yourself and others, or simply improve your comfort. Identify a storage container or key location to place your survival kit, then gather and store supplies. Supplies include water and food as well as items for shelter and warmth, first aid, communication, personal hygiene and sanitation.It’s possible your home could be damaged and you may have to evacuate; be sure to include a backpack or similar bag so you can pack some of these items to go. Many of these supplies you may already have at home. Below are suggested basic supplies to survive for 7 to 10 days. ■ Water – one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation ■ Food – at least 7 to 10 day supply of non-perishable food per person ■ Cash – ATMs won’t work without electricity ■ Battery-powered radio and extra batteries ■ Flashlight and extra batteries ■ First aid kit ■ Whistle to signal for help ■ Filter mask or cotton t-shirt to help filter the air ■ Moist towelettes for sanitation ■ Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities if needed ■ Manual can opener for food ■ Shelter items like tents, tarps and rope ■ Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation ■ Unique family needs: supplies for infants, pets and elderly, prescriptions, and important family documents Local agencies across Puget Sound are teaming up to share information and encourage residents to prepare for catastrophic events with this regional campaign, What to do to Make it Through. For other useful checklists and preparedness resources visit: www.makeitthrough.org
Here are lists of disaster supplies provided by the American Red Cross. Start with what you have and slowly add over time. THE BASICS • Three-day supply of water (one gallon per person, per day). • Three-day supply of nonperishable food (pouches, cans, etc). • Manual can opener. • Prescription medications: three-day supply. • List of medications, doctor a pharmacist contact information • Blanket • Flashlight with extra batteries (do not use candles) • First-aid kit and manual. • Sanitation and hygiene items (toilet paper, feminine products). • Matches in waterproof container. • Whistle (to attract attention). • One change of clothing. • Photocopies of identification and credit cards. • Cash and coins (ATMs may not be accessible). • Eye glasses, contact lens solution. • Items for infants, such as formula, diapers, bottles, and pacifiers. • Pet supplies (including food and vaccination record). • Map of the local area. • Pack of cards, book. • Extra set of keys (car, house, etc). • Plastic garbage bags. • Family and friends emergency contact information. COLD CLIMATE SUPPLIES Be sure to include one set of the following for each person: • Jacket or coat. • Long pants and long sleeve shirt. • Sturdy shoes. • Hat, mittens, and scarf. • Sleeping bag or warm blanket. SUPPLIES FOR VEHICLE • Flashlight with extra batteries. • Maps. • First-aid kit & manual. • Tire repair kit. • Jumper cables. • Flares. • Bottled water. • Non-perishable foods such as granola bars. • Winter: Blanket, hat, mittens, shovel, sand, tire chains, windshield scraper, florescent distress flag. • Summer: Sunscreen lotion SPF 15 or greater. • Shade item: umbrella, wide brimmed hat, etc. CONSIDERATIONS • Extra hearing aid or implant batteries. • Battery operated lantern with extra batteries. • This will aid you in communication for lip reading, ASL: • Notebook and pen. • Extra batteries for any visual or sensory alerts (strobe/vibrating). • Vibrating/strobe alarm clock with extra batteries. • Extra pager batteries. • Extra TTY batteries. • Car charger for pager/communication devices • Do not run your car inside a garage • Service animal identification.
4 • NOVEMBER 21, 2014 • WINTERWISE
STORM SAFETY
REPORT A POWER OUTAGE OR SERVICE ISSUE
(Puget Sound Energy) We hope you will use these tips to ensure you and your family are ready for the next big storm. BEFORE • Keep your emergency kits handy. • Check out what to do if there is an outage. • Unplug sensitive electronic equipment such as computers. • Know what natural gas appliances will continue to operate if there is an outage: • Natural gas water heaters • Gas log fireplaces • Gas ovens and ranges (if there is electric ignition, have matches nearby to light the flame) • Natural gas barbeques (Remember: never bring a portable grill indoors.) • If using a generator, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. See safety tips about portable generators. • If you live in a flood zone, check out our flood safety tips. DURING • Keep track of the storm as it develops. • If there is an outage: • Turn off lights and appliances.
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(Puget Sound Energy)
POWER OUTAGE: Report your power outage online www.pse.com (sign-in required) or call us at 1-888-225-5773. GAS SERVICE: If your furnace is clicking on and off or you have a concern about your gas service, call us at 1-888-225-5773. Street light outage: Use this online form.
• Leave one light switch on so you’ll know when your power is back on. • Use flashlights instead of candles. • Keep your freezer and refrigerator doors closed and open them only when it is necessary. • Never use a gas range, indoor cooker, charcoal or gas barbeque for heating. • Close curtains and drapes to keep the heat in. • Wear warm clothes in layers. • If the indoor temperature drops to 55 degrees or below, open your faucets so there is a constant drip to prevent pipes from freezing.
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Stay away from downed power lines. Call us immediately at 1-888-225-5773 or call 911. If you smell natural gas, leave the area right away. From a safe distance, call us at 1-888-225-5773 or call 911. Everyone must call 811 prior to digging. It’s free and it’s the law. For more safety and emergency preparedness tips, visit our safety section.
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