ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, December 5, 1996             TAG: 9612050064
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER

DON'T LET WINTER CATCH YOU OFF GUARD

This week's snowy forecast put a chill in the hearts of winter weather phobics as memories of last year's record snowfall sent shivers up their collective spines.

No one has predicted that this winter will rival last year's near-blizzard conditions when more than 3 feet of snow fell in some areas, but who can say for sure?

That's why it's best to prepare now for whatever the skies may drop on the New River Valley.

Jimmy Bowyer, crime prevention officer for the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, said many of the automobile accidents his department worked last winter could have been avoided if people who did not need to be on the roads simply stayed home until it was safe.

"A lot of people like to joy ride when it snows," he said. "If you don't have to be out there, don't go out."

It's common sense advice, but warnings about hazardous weather conditions often go unheeded.

The state declared this week Winter Preparedness Week in an effort to raise the public's awareness about what it can do to stay ahead of the weather.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Services offers the following tips on what to do around the home before winter hits:

*Stock an emergency supply of water and nonperishable foods;

*Keep an adequate supply of fuel in your home. Have an alternate heat source such as a wood stove, fireplace or space heater in case you lose power.

*Make sure you have a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, a first-aid kit and extra prescription medications.

*Wrap water pipes in pipe insulation to keep them from freezing. During sustained cold periods, let each faucet drip a little to avoid freezing.

If the power goes out, Bowyer said, a battery-powered radio is especially important in order to keep up on weather reports and closings. The Sheriff's Office often puts out information it compiles about road conditions on local radio stations, he said.

Julie Roop, a dispatcher with Montgomery County, cautioned that her job of answering the Sheriff Office's phones is especially hectic during bad weather. She said people should call 911 to get help for life-threatening emergencies, fires and accidents.

The emergency number, she emphasized, is not for calling to find out when the power will come back on, what road conditions are. or, as one woman used to do, ask for a deputy to haul firewood into the house.

Dial 911 by accident? Don't hang up, because even if you do, the dispatcher has to call you back to make sure there is not an emergency, Roop said.

When you're calling just to get information, Roop said, use the office's nonemergency number listed in the blue pages of the phone book. It's answered 24 hours a day - just like 911, but allows the true emergency calls to be answered first.

For more information on winter weather preparations, visit the Virginia Department of Emergency Service's home page on the Internet at: http://www.state.va.us/des/des.htm.

Winter storm survival kit for cars

flashlight

blanket

flares

first-aid kit

high-calorie, non-perishable food

knife

extra clothing to keep dry

bag of sand or cat litter to use for traction

shovel

windshield scraper and brush

tow rope

booster cables

water container

road maps

compass

a large empty can and plastic cover with tissues and paper towels for sanitary purposes

a smaller can and waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking

Source: Virginia Department of Emergency Services

Winter weather numbers

To Find Out About School Closings, call...

Montgomery County - 382-5102

Giles County - 921-1421, then press 6

Floyd County - 745-9495

Pulaski County - broadcast on local radio and television stations

Radford City - broadcast on local radio and television stations

Post these numbers near your phone for winter weather needs:

Road Conditions from VDOT: 1-800-367-7623

This number gives you access to road conditions and closings throughout the state. If you can not find out the information you need, you can call your local police or sheriff's office's NON-EMERGENCY number to check road conditions.

American Electric Power: when your power goes out, call:

Christiansburg District: 381-2500

Pulaski District: 994-1300

National Weather Service: gives weather forecasts, advisories and updated 24 hours 1-800-221-2659

- DO NOT CALL 911 UNLESS YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY NEED

LENGTH: Long  :  108 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  File 1994. An icy spot on the road caught these 
          motorists by surprise during a recent winter.