Be Fire Safe this Holiday Season

More cooking fires occur during the Thanksgiving holiday than any other day of the year; in fact, cooking is the number one cause of house fires in the commonwealth.

As the seasons change and more and more Pennsylvanians begin heading indoors, many are choosing to turn on their home-heating for the first time.  Annual tune-ups and inspections are excellent ways to prevent issues with carbon monoxide and fires, particularly if using a system that utilizes an open flame.

It is very important to follow the following fire safety tips as well as COVID-19 safety tips to support our front-line workers. All Pennsylvanians are encouraged to follow the Pennsylvania Department of Health universal masking order, social distancing guidelines, and download the COVID Alert PA app.

Winter Weather Awareness Week in Pennsylvania was November 8-13, 2020. Visit your local National Weather Service office for safety tips! 

Winter is right around the corner. When it comes to Pennsylvania, winter weather impacts typically begin in October and last through April, with the greatest impact typically during the months of January, February, and March.

Snow, sleet, ice, heavy rain, cold, wind, flooding, and ice jams impact Pennsylvania during the winter.

The COVID-19 pandemic can affect how we prepare for winter weather and how to keep yourself and others safe. Your normal winter weather preparedness kit now needs to include items needed to protect yourself and others against COVID-19, such as masks and hand sanitizer. 

Stay informed. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected emergency preparedness, and your local guidance may be different this year. Ensure you are familiar with your local guidance for evacuations and shelters. Identify your trusted local sources of information ahead of time so you don't fall prey to misinformation that could endanger you or your loved ones.

Motorists are encouraged to "Know Before You Go" by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com.

511PA is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 860 traffic cameras. Users can also see plow truck statuses and travel alerts along a specific route using the "Check My Route" tool.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website. Also, be sure to sign up for timely, life-saving messages from the NWS at Alert PA. These alerts can be sent directly to your cellular phone, so you have time to avoid winter weather conditions that could lead to impacts.