Stay Safe in Thunderstorms

All thunderstorms produce lightning and have the potential for danger. Those dangers can include tornadoes, strong winds, hail, wildfires and flash flooding, which is responsible for more fatalities than any other thunderstorm-related hazard.

Lightning's risk to individuals and property is increased because of its unpredictability, which emphasizes the importance of preparedness. It often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors in the summer months during the afternoon and evening.

Click the following link to download the Office of Emergency Management's Thunderstorms flyer.

Remember, during a thunderstorm:

• Stay inside a building or hard-top vehicle. 
• Avoid showering, bathing, and using a phone that has a cord, except in an emergency. 
• Unplug appliances, televisions and computers. 
• If outside, take cover immediately but never stand under a tall tree in an open area. 
• Don't touch metal, electrical equipment, telephones, bathtubs, water faucets or sinks.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Safely Salt Your Sidewalk

With winter weather forecast for this weekend, make sure you know how to safely salt your sidewalk. The Philadelphia Department of Streets recommends the following tips:

• Any commercial de-icer is acceptable for salting your sidewalk or driveway.
• Salt should be applied as soon as a light accumulation has developed on the surface. This will break the bond between subsequent accumulations and the pavement, thereby making it easier to shovel. A final light application may be required after removal to melt the remaining residual snow.
• During a sleet or freezing rain storm, de-icing of sidewalks and driveways will require multiple applications as dictated by the actual conditions.
• Be conscious of the environment. Use de-icing salts sparingly. One pound can be used to cover 100 to 200 square feet. For example, 30 to 60 feet of sidewalk with a width of three feet can be treated at this rate. The material can be spread manually or with the help of simple equipment such as lawn seed and fertilizer spreaders. If spreaders are used, they should be rinsed out once the application is completed.
• Kitty litter can also be used to generate temporary traction.

For more information on preparing for the winter, visit our Winter Weather page. 

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Drive Safely On Icy Roads

In the event of icy road conditions, follow these driving tips from The Weather Channel.

• Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
• Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
• Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
• Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
• Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
• Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
• Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
• Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

Find additional tips for driving in the snow and ice at weather.com. 

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Make Your Car Winter Ready

With Punxsutawney Phil calling for six more weeks of winter and the Philadelphia Auto Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, it's a good time to make sure your car is ready for the winter. Before driving this winter check that the brakes, battery, hoses and belts are in good condition. Regularly check your vehicle to make sure that:

• Fluid levels are full.
• Wiper blades don't streak. Install winter wiper blades.
• Heater and defroster are working properly.
• Radio is working, so you can receive weather updates, road conditions and traffic reports.
• All lights are working.
• Tires are properly inflated and have sufficient tread. Consider installing snow tires or carry a set of tire chains.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit Philadelphia's Office of Emergency Management at www.phila.gov/ready. Also, follow PhilaOEM on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, MySpace, or YouTube.