By Amanda Armlin

Evening Sun Contributor

CHENANGO COUNTY – Safety is of the upmost importance when faced with a treacherous winter storm and planning ahead is key.

The Chenango County Sheriff Office shared a “Winter Storm Watch” from the National Weather Service issued Thursday afternoon. The watch will remain in effect until 7 p.m. Monday, January 26.

The sheriff said residents should be prepared for widespread heavy snow with significant accumulations possible, most likely taking place late Saturday night through Monday evening.

Heavy snow could make travel extremely difficult. At this time, the heaviest snowfall is forecast to be from the Twin Tiers southward. Snowfall could be very heavy at times Sunday afternoon and late into the night “with hourly rates exceeding 1 inch per hour,” reported the weather service.

Forecasts predict anywhere between 1” to 8” depending on location and decreasing temperatures ranging from single digits to negatives by end of day each night throughout the weekend.

Precautions should be taken. Firstly, one should dress appropriately. Layers of clothing and various amounts of bundling will help maintain  your body temperature. 

The most favorable option would be to stay inside as much as possible. If you do find yourself outside engaging in some form of physical or strenuous  activity, it is best to keep it limited. Especially if one  has any underlying heart, breathing  or health issues that could create a bigger problem. 

The freezing temperatures  may make  the visibility of your breath in the air enjoyable like it did when you were a child, but it may also  come with some warnings attached: beware of hypothermia.

Changing out of any wet clothing. Keep an eye out for any warning signs that may occur. If you experience intense shivering, confusion, drowsiness, slurred speech, fumbling hands or loss of coordination, please stop what you are doing and go inside immediately. 

Covering yourself in warm blankets, drinking warm liquids and eating high energy foods such as bananas, peanut butter and oatmeal will also be beneficial. If your symptoms persist, call 911.

Not only does one need to be prepared physically, but we must also prepare our homes. Ensure insulation is in place for windows and doors in order to limit heat loss and reduce drafts.

No one enjoys having to pay more for their electric and heating bills.

Space heaters and other forms of heating should be on a flat, level surfaces. Be aware of potential nearby fire hazards.

Stocking up on necessary supplies for your home helps travel be less of an issue.

Basic necessities such as water, milk, bread, canned foods and toiletries are recommended. Gathering ice and a small cooler in case of an extended power outage would be highly effective to keep all  perishable foods fresh. 

During any power outages, keep your refrigerator closed as much as possible to maintain the cool temperature needed for your food.

Preparing your home, vehicle and physical self for a storm is an important factor, keep a blanket, winter hat and gloves in your vehicle at all times.

If one must travel, whether it be for work or an errand, please be extremely cautious of your surroundings. Pull over, if necessary, be late if needed.

If power outages ensue, traffic lights may not function.

Maintaining a safe distance behind other vehicles and giving snowplows room to clear roads, creates less emergencies down the road.

Keep in mind, snowplows are known for their wide turns and overlapping lanes. Always maintain distance. Your life is valuable and so are others.

Maintaining  your vehicle is a task we all face throughout the year.  Doing so before a storm is crucial. Seatbelts and booster seats should be properly installed and put in place.

Completely clean off snow from windows, mirrors, and headlights. Filling your tank with gas ahead of bad weather can also be very helpful. Planning your route ahead of time also helps.

In case of an emergency on the road, stay with your vehicle and call 911. Make sure all of your vehicle's pipes(exhaust) are clear from obstruction and your blinkers and headlights are noticeable  to other motorists. Try to keeping a light on  while inside your vehicle lets others know you are present and currently safe.

Also important is ensuring the safety of your pets. Bringing your pets indoors, if possible, or in a sheltered, heated location.

Also, checking on any neighbors, friends and family that may be alone during this time, is just a small step of compassion and humility.

When it comes down to it, we are not alone and ensuring our own and everyone else's safety in our community helps us all survive another winter storm. Undoubtedly, it will not be our last.