Crime & Safety

Takoma Park Police Talk Winter Safety

Check out these winter safety tips from the Takoma Park Police Department.

With snow, ice and stormy weather, injuries are common in winter. So on this first day of the season, here are some tips from Takoma Park Police on how to stay injury free this winter.

Some Winter Facts:

  • December, January and February are the leading months for home fires and associated deaths in the United States. 
  • Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home-fire deaths in the United States and the leading cause during December and January. 
  • Each year, more than 700 people die of hypothermia caused by extended exposure to cold temperatures both indoors and out. About half of these deaths are among persons age 65 and older; men in this age group are more likely than women to die from hypothermia.


You should have the following supplies in your disaster supply kit:

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  • Rock Salt to melt ice on walkways
  • Sand to improve traction
  • Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment


Prepare your Home and Family:

  • Prepare for possible isolation in your home by having sufficient heating fuel; regular fuel sources may be cut off.  For example, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
  • Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic.
  • Winterize your house, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, or equipment.  Clear rain gutters, repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.
  • Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing.
  • Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them.  House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.


Portable Space Heater Safety:

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  • Make sure your heater has been tested for safety.
  • Space heaters need to have plenty of space around them.
  • Place space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn – including furniture, people, pets and curtains.
  • There should always be an adult in the room when a space heater is on. Turn off the space heaters before leaving a room or going to sleep.
  • Supervise children and pets at all times when a portable space heater is in use.
  • Never use space heaters to dry clothing or blankets.


Fireplaces and Wood Stove Safety:

  • Burn only seasonal hardwood like oak, ash or maple.  Do not burn trash, cardboard boxes or Christmas trees because these items burn unevenly, and may contain poisons or cause a home fire.
  • Have a professional chimney sweep inspect chimneys every year.  They will fix any cracks, blockages and leaks and clean out any build-up in the chimney that could start a fire.
  • Open flues before fireplaces are used.
  • Use sturdy screens or glass doors to keep embers inside fireplaces.
  • Install at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home and inside or near sleeping areas.
  • Keep young children away from working wood stoves and heaters to avoid contact burn injuries.


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