Lexington Fire Department gives preparation tips for winter weather

The Lexington Fire Department has some tips you need to know if your power is out and there's a medical emergency.

Lexington, Ky (WTVQ): The Lexington Fire Department has some tips you need to know if your power is out and there’s a medical emergency.

Captain Seth Lockard, of the Lexington Fire Department, says power outages likely to occur have a carbon monoxide alarm in your home, and home safety kits ready.  “Especially with the cold temperatures that are coming up is the loss of power and if people start using space heaters, especially kerosene types of heaters in the house making sure that they’re being safe,” he said.

Lockard also says make sure you have already supplied food and water, including gallons of water and canned goods for a few days. Minimize opening your refrigerator. “Going to the refrigerator is frowned upon unless you’re actually preparing a meal,” he said. “Just to keep that food in the refrigerator as long as possible.”

Lockard also says, that if you have a generator, make sure that you are using it outside and not inside the home. He says if you have an oxygen tank and lose power for an extended period of time:  “If we lose power, we also have a number of people that are calling because their oxygen concentrators aren’t working anymore,” he said. “So, they should be aware of how to transition to their oxygen concentrators to their cylinders if they have oxygen cylinders.”

And, Lockard says, with the temperatures dropping, make sure you cover your skin so it’s not exposed, by wearing hats and gloves. “If you don’t get it this time start thinking about these things for the next event,” he said. “Because it’s going to happen again, we’re getting ready to go into the spring time.”

Lockard also says if you resort to using a grill, make sure to use it outside to reduce any chance of carbon monoxide concerns.