Winter conditions call for extra precautions

Barbara L. Sellers/Northwest Guardian

Winter conditions will soon arrive in the Pacific Northwest.

“It’s important to people who are new to the area to understand the winter hazards and know the actions they need to take,” said Pete Strohm, Safety director.

Similar to the Armywide 101 Critical Days of Summer, this area has a second focus — 101 Days of Northwest Winter.

From Nov. 7 through Feb. 17, everyone in the Northwest should focus on the hazards, some of which are unique to the Northwest, Strohm said.

“Darkness comes earlier in the afternoon, and light comes later in the morning,” he said. “If we add to that the persistent cloud cover, fog and rain, it creates conditions that are hazardous to activities, such as driving, physical training and recreation.”

Whenever we have those conditions, it greatly reduces visibility for drivers and vehicle operators, Strohm said.

“Vehicle operators should increase their vigilance, watching for pedestrian traffic, especially during the early morning PT hours and during the late afternoons,” he said.

“Pedestrians as well must be extra cautious and make sure they are visible to vehicle operators, using proper reflective gear and following pedestrian rules of the road.”

Preparedness for stormy conditions is another area that deserves focus during winter months in the Pacific Northwest, Strohm said.

“We have rain and windstorms throughout the winter — occasionally severe,” he said.

“These storms blow in from the Pacific, sometimes on a very short notice. Almost every neighborhood is subject to tree limbs coming down, tall trees being uprooted and power going out. Depending on where you live, in addition to the driving hazards these storms present, you might be without power anywhere from a few minutes to several days.”

Everyone should be aware of these storms and be prepared to address the challenges they present, Strohm said.

“I suggest everyone visit the state Military Department Emergency Management Division Web site (http://emd.wa.gov/),” he said. “This month they have windstorm preparedness as their spotlight article, with all the information anyone would need, to prepare.”

The holidays could bring safety hazards, as well, Strohm said, such as faulty holiday lights or unattended candles.

“Finally, in the Puget Sound area, down close to sea level, we typically don’t get a lot of snow or ice during the winter,” Strohm said. “But those who are going to travel out of the Puget Sound area during these 101 Days of Northwest Winter, should be aware of extreme weather conditions in mountain passes, and be prepared for that.”

In addition to the Washington State Department of Emergency Management Web site, those maintained by the major power companies and the American Red Cross have information about winter emergency preparedness. The Washington State Department of Transportation maintains a real-time Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic, with weather and traffic conditions.

More information on preparing for 101 Days of Northwest Winter is available from the Installation Safety Office Web site, by calling 967-6764, or by e-mail at lewissafety@conus.army.mil.