Officials urge students to prepare for winter weather
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has proclaimed next week, Nov. 14-20, as Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Indiana.
Being ready for winter is key, said Ron Wright, director of Purdue University emergency preparedness.
"Many of our students are not familiar with Indiana winters," Wright said. "Although winter can be fun, some steps taken now will also help ensure students are safe."
Wright suggests:
* Make sure you have winter footwear with excellent treads. A slip on the ice can cause serious injury.
* Wear several layers of lightweight, warm clothing.
* Wear a scarf to cover your mouth.
* Mittens that fit snugly at the wrists are better than gloves.
* Sport a hat to prevent body heat loss from your head.
* Take the Purdue pedestrian tunnels and enclosed walkways. A map is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/tunnels.html
* Ride CityBus, which is free to everyone with a Purdue student, faculty, staff or retiree identification card.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and others also recommend:
* During very cold weather, those living off campus should let their faucets drip to avoid freezing pipes. Also know how to shut off water valves should a pipe burst.
* Check you car brakes, tires, heater, defroster, battery, antifreeze levels, oil levels, windshield wipers, exhaust system, lights and flashing hazard lights.
Allow more time when traveling by car, and for those unfamiliar with driving on snow and ice, practice on an open lot. Tips and advice about what to do when a car loses traction and begins to skid are available online. Those with cars also should consider carrying jumper cables; extra warm, brightly colored clothing; blankets; a small shovel, tow chain, pocket knife and small tools; non-clumping kitty litter to aid traction, road salt or sand; emergency flares; water and energy bars; a flashlight and batteries; and other related supplies.
This year's forecast calls for above-normal temperatures and a wetter winter.
Changes in class schedules due to weather are rare, said Carol Shelby, senior director of environmental health and public safety.
"Many variables come into play when making decisions about schedule changes," Shelby said. "For example, in addition to temperature and wind chill, administrators consider the entire forecast for the day, snow cover, anticipated snowfall, icing, the conditions of roads and parking lots, and the ability to heat buildings and remove snow. Consideration also is given to how far people need to walk outdoors, which is greater for students than for faculty and staff, most of whom park in lots and garages near the campus."
Any information about changes in schedules will be posted on the Purdue home page. Weather-related links and updates are available at https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/health_safety/weather.html
Writer: Jeanne Norberg, 765-494-2084, jnorberg@purdue.edu
Sources: Ron Wright, 765-494-0446, rdwright@purdue.edu
Carol Shelby, 765-494-7504, cshelby@purdue.edu