To avoid becoming stranded, motorists who must travel in winter storms are urged by the Texas Department of Public Safety to take precautions.
DPS suggests monitoring the weather closely through news reports, National Weather Service forecasts and NOAA Weather Radio.
If you must travel, keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines and try not to travel alone. DPS also recommends motorists keep an emergency kit in their vehicles that include the following:
* Blankets/sleeping bags and extra clothing, including mittens and hat
* Cell phone, radio, flashlight, extra batteries, booster cables
* First-aid kit, high-calorie, non-perishable food and bottled water
* Sack of sand or cat litter for de-icing roadway
* Windshield scraper , tool kit, tow rope and shovel
The DPS recommends the following safety precautions for those staying at home:
If heavy ice on power lines cuts off utility service, be extremely careful using generators or gas powered equipment. Carbon monoxide (CO) is invisible, odorless, deadly and can build up in a matter of minutes.
Do not use generators, charcoal grills or gas grills inside the house, garage or other enclosed space. Do not try to heat the house using a gas range or oven.
Be prepared at home or work with these supplies:
* Battery-powered NOAA weather radio, extra batteries
* Emergency supplies of food, water, medicine, medical supplies and items needed by babies or the elderly
* Heating fuel in the event fuel carriers cannot get through
* Properly ventilated emergency heating source such as a fireplace, wood stove or space heater
* Fire extinguisher, smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector.
- Deanna Boyd, downtown Fort Worth
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