Winter Weather Warning Update 2/19

The National Weather Service’s latest update early this morning (247 AM Tue Feb 19) places the surrounding NOVA Community under a Winter Storm Warning in effect from 1 AM to 7 PM tomorrow (Wednesday).

What does this forecast say?

  • WHAT…Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow
    accumulations of 4 to 6 inches and ice accumulations of up to
    one tenth of an inch expected.
  • WHEN…From 1 AM to 7 PM EST Wednesday.
  • ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Travel could be very difficult. The
    hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening
    commute.

What precautionary/preparedness actions should be taken?

  • Make sure you are signed up for NOVA Alert and monitor the College’s website for details on our operational status.
  • When venturing outside, watch your first few steps taken on
    steps, sidewalks, and driveways. Expect icy and slippery conditions that may increase your risk of a fall and injury.
  • A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet and ice will make travel very hazardous or impossible. Exercise caution if you travel.

Heimlich Maneuver Can Save Lives

In this month’s NOVA Public Safety Newsletter, it described how one fast-acting NOVA employee was able to apply the Heimlich Maneuver to a fellow colleague in need. This is an important reminder to refresh yourself on how to perform this life-saving maneuver. Here’s a quick one-minute refresher on how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver from the Mayo Clinic.

You can also find more specific step-by-step details on the Mayo Clinic’s A step-by-step guide explaining what to do in a choking emergency website.

Welcome New College Safety Manager

NOVA would like to welcome its new College Safety Manager, David Cook.  David will be responsible for developing and implementing programs to ensure compliance with safety regulations and to preserve health and safety on all NOVA campuses. He was previously a Safety Manager for a large nationwide commercial and residential construction firm.  Prior to that he was a Public Assistance Coordinator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and a United States Marine.

He can be reached at dcook@nvcc.edu.

Winterize Your Vehicle

Winter isn’t just around the corner—it’s hear today! Make sure your vehicle and emergency vehicle kit are ready to keep you safe and prepared.

Prepare Your Vehicle

  • Install good winter tires. Make sure each tire has enough tread.
  • Keep your gas tank full. A full tank keeps the fuel line from freezing, and it’s also a good idea in case you lose power.
  • Batteries lose power as temperatures drop, so be sure to have yours tested.
  • Have your vehicle’s antifreeze level and radiator system checked.
  • Proactively replace your car’s worn wiper blades.
  • To help with visibility, clean off your car entirely—including your trunk, roof, windows, and headlights.

Prepare Yourself

Making sure your emergency vehicle kit is fully stocked:

  • Water, non-perishable food, and an extra set of warm clothes in case you get stranded
  • Jumper cables
  • Cat litter or sand for better tire traction
  • Car cell phone charger
  • Ice scraper
  • Flares or reflective triangle

For more information about winter vehicle safety, visit: www.ready.gov/car.

Live Holiday Tree Fire Safety

Live holiday trees are showing up for sale all over our region. If you purchase one for your family, please read these very important fire safety tips to ensure your family will safety enjoy your live tree.

In the video above, the National Institute  of Standards and Technology (NIST) demonstrates the differences between a well-maintained ‘WATERED’ and ‘DRY’ holiday tree fires. Properly maintaining a cut tree is important to retaining a high moisture content in the branches and needles of the tree. This can help to limit ignition likelihood, fire growth rate, and peak fire size.

Holiday Tree Fire Safety Tips

The video above suggests that keeping your tree watered can reduce its fire risk.  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) suggests several steps that you can take to reduce the risk of a holiday tree fire in your home.

  • Choose a healthy tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
  • Immediately before placing a tree in its stand, cut 5 cm (2 in.) from the base of the trunk; this can help the tree to draw up water. If the cut surface is allowed to dry, it will reduce the water uptake to the tree.
  • Always keep the tree well-watered. Make sure to check the water level in the stand daily.
  • Make sure that the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source (e.g. space heaters, candles, fireplaces, heat vents, or lights).
  • Make sure that the tree does not block an exit.
  • Only use decorative lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Make sure light bulbs, strings, and connections are not broken or damaged in any way.
  • Always turn off tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
  • Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
  • Get rid of the tree after the holiday or when it is dry and keep it away from your home/garage. Of the ten days with the largest shares of holiday tree fires, none were before Christmas.

For more detailed information, please visit: https://www.nist.gov/el/fire-research-division-73300/national-fire-research-laboratory-73306/holiday-fire-safety.