The National Weather Service has named October 28 as Winter Weather Preparedness Day in South Dakota. Public Utilities Commissioners encourage South Dakotans to use the day as a reminder that winter weather is right around the corner and the time to prepare for it is now.
“The best time to prepare for severe weather is before it becomes an emergency. Simple steps like preparing an at-home emergency kit, reviewing generator safety guidelines, and ensuring you have a carbon monoxide detector that is working properly are great ways to ensure you and your family are prepared for the season ahead,” suggested PUC Chairman Chris Nelson.
In preparing for winter weather, primary concerns are loss of heat, power, phone service and a shortage of supplies. The National Weather Service recommends your emergency kit include things like flashlights and extra batteries, a battery-powered NOAA weather radio, enough food and water for each person and pet, baby supplies like diapers and formula, first aid supplies, backup power banks to recharge devices and options for emergency heat sources.
While most households focus on power and heat loss, natural gas customers face an additional, easily overlooked risk once snow and ice arrive.
“Keeping natural gas meters and vents free of snow and ice needs to be part of every customer’s regular winter routine. Meters are built to handle extreme cold, but accumulated snow and ice can still damage them and create dangerous leaks or service interruptions. A few minutes with a broom or soft brush after each storm is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your home and family,” said PUC Vice Chairperson Kristie Fiegen.
Protecting your family and home this winter starts with simple steps and solutions that can start before snow and ice enter the forecast. Performing regular safety checks and reviewing best practices for how to safely operate the items you already have on hand can make all the difference.
“In an extreme weather event, preparedness is super important, but being smart during a storm is equally important. If you lose power, your priority should be focusing on keeping warm air in and cold air out,” explained PUC Commissioner Gary Hanson. “If you have a chance to identify and address energy efficiency and air leak issues in your home now, even better. Not only will it help in a storm, but it may also make a difference in your regular energy bill.”
There are dozens of ways to save on household energy, but it’s not always obvious what they are. If that is where you’re at, a home energy audit, a process in which trained energy auditors, or energy assessors, use specialized equipment to examine a home in search of energy efficiency issues like air leaks, may be a good starting point.
Some utility companies offer some versions of the service for free or a full audit for a fee. There are also independent companies that specialize in this service and addressing the issues found.
Thanks SD PUC