Click to listen to episode (5:05)
Sections below are the following:
Transcript of Audio
Audio Notes and Acknowledgments
Images
Extra Information
Sources
Related Water Radio Episodes
For Virginia Teachers (Relevant SOLs, etc.)
Unless otherwise noted, all Web addresses mentioned were functional as of 11-27-20.
TRANSCRIPT OF AUDIO
From the Cumberland Gap to the Atlantic Ocean, this is Virginia Water Radio for the week of November 30, 2020.
MUSIC – ~12 sec – instrumental
This week, that excerpt of “Drive the Cold Winter Away,” by
Timothy Seaman of Williamsburg, Va., opens our annual episode on winter
preparedness.
In 2020, winter astronomically comes to Virginia on December 21 at 5:02 a.m.
That’s the Eastern Standard time of the winter solstice in the Northern
Hemisphere, when that hemisphere is at its maximum annual tilt away from the
sun.
To help you be prepared for winter’s cold temperatures,
hazardous roads, power outages, and fire hazards, here are 10 tips from
the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency,
and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
1. Avoid traveling in winter-storm conditions if you can. If you must travel,
get road conditions from the Virginia 511 telephone system, Web site, or
app. And have an emergency kit for your
vehicle, including jumper cables, water, non-perishable food, blankets, a
flashlight, and other items.
2. Have battery-powered sources of lighting and information, particularly
weather information, along with enough batteries to last through a power outage
of several days. Whenever possible, use
flashlights and not candles during power outages. If you do use candles,
put them in safe holders away from anything combustible, and don’t leave a
burning candle unattended.
3. Make a family emergency plan that covers
sheltering; evacuation from your area; escape from a home fire; emergency
meeting places; communications; a supply of food, water, and medications; and
other factors specific to your circumstances; and practice your plan twice a
year.
4. Get fireplaces, wood stoves, and chimneys
inspected and cleaned.
5. Install a smoke detector in every
bedroom and on every floor level, test them monthly, and replace the batteries
every six months.
6. Install a carbon
monoxide detector in your home and check or replace the battery every six
months.
7. If you use space heaters, make sure
they will switch off automatically if the heater falls over; plug them into
wall outlets, not extension cords; keep them at least three feet from
combustible objects; don’t leave heaters unattended; and check for cracked or
damaged wires or plugs.
8. Generators, camp stoves, and other
devices that burn gasoline or charcoal should be used outdoors only.
9. Learn how to shut off water valves in
case a pipe bursts.
And 10. Be careful of overexertion
during snow shoveling.
More information on preparing for winter weather, fires, and other emergencies
is available from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, online at vaemergency.gov.
Next time the forecast calls for snow, freezing rain, or other wintry weather,
here’s hoping that you can stay warm, dry, and safe.
Thanks to Timothy Seaman for permission to use “Drive the Cold Winter
Away.” We close with about 20 seconds of
another winter-weather-appropriate song by a Virginia musician; here’s part of
“Cold World,” by Blacksburg singer-songwriter Kat Mills.
MUSIC – ~20 sec – Lyrics: “Now I got the wind blowin’ on me, makin’ my world cold, makin’ my world cold, keepin’ my world cold.”
SHIP’S BELL
Virginia Water Radio is produced by the Virginia Water Resources Research Center, part of Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment. For more Virginia water sounds, music, or information, visit us online at virginiawaterradio.org, or call the Water Center at (540) 231-5624. Thanks to Ben Cosgrove for his version of “Shenandoah” to open and close the show. In Blacksburg, I’m Alan Raflo, thanking you for listening, and wishing you health, wisdom, and good water.
AUDIO NOTES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
“Drive the Cold Winter Away” is a traditional tune performed by Timothy Seaman and Phillip Skeens on the 1998 album “Celebration of Centuries,” copyright by Timothy Seaman and Pine Wind Music, used with permission. More information about Timothy Seaman is available online http://timothyseaman.com/. This music was used most recently by Virginia Water Radio in Episode 500, 11-25-19.
“Cold World,” on the 2003 album “Long Time,” is copyright by Kat Mills and Sweetcut Music, used with permission. More information about Kat Mills is available online at http://www.sweetcut.com/kat/ and at https://www.facebook.com/katmillsmusic. This music was used most recently by Virginia Water Radio in Episode 406, 2-5-18.
Click here if you’d like to hear the full version (2 min./22 sec.) of the “Shenandoah” arrangement/performance by Ben Cosgrove that opens and closes this episode. More information about Ben Cosgrove is available online at http://www.bencosgrove.com.
IMAGES
EXTRA INFORMATION ABOUT WINTER PREPAREDNESS AND FIRE SAFETY
On Winter Preparedness
The following information is quoted from the Virginia
Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), “Winter Weather,” online at https://www.vaemergency.gov/winter-weather/,
accessed 11/27/20.
Winter storms can range from freezing rain or ice, to a few hours of moderate
snowfall, to a blizzard that lasts for several days. Many winter storms
are accompanied by dangerously low temperatures, power outages and
unpredictable road conditions. Before,
during, and after a winter storm, roads and walkways may become extremely
dangerous or impassable. Access to critical community services such as
public transportation, child care, healthcare providers and schools may be
limited. Preparing your home, car and family before cold weather and a
winter storm arrives is critical.
Overview for Dealing
with a Winter Storm
*During a winter storm, stay off the roads as much as possible and only
drive when absolutely necessary. Always give snow plows the right of way.
*Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or gasoline, propane, natural gas or
charcoal burning device inside your home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any other
partially enclosed area.
*Snow shoveling is a known trigger for heart attacks! Always avoid overexertion when shoveling.
*When severe weather occurs, plan to check on elderly or disabled neighbors and
relatives.
*If you must travel, know road conditions before you leave home. Visit 511Virginia.org or call 511 for road
condition updates.
*Protect yourself from frostbite! Hands, feet and face are the most
commonly affected areas so wear a hat, mittens (which are warmer than gloves)
and cover your mouth with a scarf to reduce heat loss.
*Keep dry! Change out of wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of
body heat.
*Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than
one layer or heavy clothing.
Prepare Your Home
*Make sure your home is properly insulated.
*Check the weather stripping around your windows and doors.
*Learn how to shut off water valves in case a pipe bursts.
*Have additional heat sources on hand in case of a power outages.
*Keep a fire extinguisher accessible.
*Replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector annually.
Prepare Your Car
*Batteries lose power as temperatures drop, be sure to have yours tested.
*Check your car’s antifreeze level.
*Have your radiator system serviced.
*Replace your car’s windshield wiper fluid with a wintertime mix.
*Proactively replace your car’s worn tires and wiper blades.
*To help with visibility, clean [snow or ice] off your car entirely, including
your trunk, roof, windows and headlights.
*Download an emergency-kit checklist online at https://www.vaemergency.gov/emergency-kit/.
Did You Know?
*Dehydration can make you more susceptible to hypothermia.
*If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pet! Don’t leave pets outside for prolonged
periods of time and have plenty of fresh, unfrozen water on hand.
*Each year, snow, sleet, slush and/or ice on the road leads
to approximately, 537,000 crashes, 136,000 injuries, and 1,800 deaths.
*It can snow at temperatures well above freezing
*Temperatures do not have to be below zero degrees to cause
harm
On Fire Safety
The following information is quoted from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), “Fires,” online at https://www.vaemergency.gov/fires/, accessed 11/27/20.
In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In just five
minutes, a home can be engulfed in flames.
Learn About Fires
*Fire is FAST!
In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a
major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for
it to be engulfed in flames.
*Fire is HOT!
Heat is more threatening than flames. Room temperatures
in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye
level. Inhaling this super-hot air will scorch your lungs and melt clothes to
your skin.
*Fire is DARK!
Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and
complete darkness.
*Fire is DEADLY!
Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do.
Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy.
Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a
three-to-one ratio.
Create and Practice a
Fire Escape Plan – In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts,
so you and your family must always be prepared.
Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly.
*Twice each year, practice your home fire escape plan.
Some tips to consider when preparing this plan include:
*Find two ways to get out of each room in the event the
primary way is blocked by fire or smoke.
*A secondary route might be a window onto a neighboring roof
or a collapsible ladder for escape from upper story windows.
*Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken
out quickly, and that security bars can be properly opened.
*Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or
with your eyes closed.
*Teach children not to hide from firefighters.
Smoke Alarms – A
working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly
home fire.
*Install both ionization AND photoelectric smoke alarms, OR
dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke
sensors.
*Test batteries monthly.
*Replace batteries in battery-powered and hard-wired smoke
alarms at least once a year (except non-replaceable 10-year lithium batteries).
*Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including
the basement, both inside and outside of sleeping areas.
*Replace the entire smoke alarm unit every 8-10 years or
according to manufacturer’s instructions.
*Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking – it can be a
deadly mistake.
Smoke Alarm Safety for
People with Access or Functional Needs
*Audible alarms for visually impaired people should pause
with a small window of silence between each successive cycle so that they can
listen to instructions or voices of others.
*Smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light are
available for the hearing impaired. Contact your local fire department for
information about obtaining a flashing or vibrating smoke alarm.
*Smoke alarms with a strobe light outside the home to catch
the attention of neighbors, and emergency call systems for summoning help, are
also available.
More Fire Safety Tips
*Make digital copies of valuable documents and records like
birth certificates.
*Sleep with your door closed.
*Contact your local fire department for information on
training on the proper use and maintenance of fire extinguishers.
*Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in
your residence.
During a Fire
*Crawl low under any smoke to your exit – heavy smoke and
poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling.
*Before opening a door, feel the doorknob and door. If
either is hot, or if there is smoke coming around the door, leave the door
closed and use your second way out.
*If you open a door, open it slowly. Be ready to shut it
quickly if heavy smoke or fire is present.
*If you can’t get to someone needing assistance, leave the
home and call 9-1-1 or the fire department. Tell the emergency operator where
the person is located.
*If pets are trapped inside your home, tell firefighters
right away.
*If you can’t get out, close the door and cover vents and
cracks around doors with cloth or tape to keep smoke out. Call 9-1-1 or
your fire department. Say where you are and signal for help at the window with
a light-colored cloth or a flashlight.
*If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll – stop
immediately, drop to the ground, and cover your face with your hands. Roll
over and over or back and forth until the fire is out. If you or someone
else cannot stop, drop, and roll, smother the flames with a blanket or
towel. Use cool water to treat the burn immediately for 3 to 5
minutes. Cover with a clean, dry cloth. Get medical help right away
by calling 9-1-1 or the fire department.
Fire Escape Planning
for Older Adults and People with Access or Functional Needs
*Live near an exit. You’ll be safest on the ground floor if
you live in an apartment building. If you live in a multi-story home, arrange
to sleep on the ground floor, and near an exit.
*If you use a walker or wheelchair, check all exits to be
sure you get through the doorways.
*Make any necessary accommodations, such as providing exit
ramps and widening doorways, to facilitate an emergency escape.
*Speak to your family members, building manager, or
neighbors about your fire safety plan and practice it with them.
*Contact your local fire department’s non-emergency line and
explain your special needs. Ask emergency providers to keep your special needs
information on file.
*Keep a phone near your bed and be ready to call 911 or your
local emergency number if a fire occurs.
After a Fire – The following checklist
serves as a quick reference and guide for you to follow after a fire strikes.
*Contact your local disaster relief service, such as The Red
Cross, if you need temporary housing, food and medicines.
*If you are insured, contact your insurance company for
detailed instructions on protecting the property, conducting inventory and
contacting fire damage restoration companies. If you are not insured, try
contacting private organizations for aid and assistance.
*Check with the fire department to make sure your residence
is safe to enter. Be watchful of any structural damage caused by the fire. The fire department should see that utilities
are either safe to use or are disconnected before they leave the site. DO
NOT attempt to reconnect utilities yourself.
*Conduct an inventory of damaged property and items.
Do not throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made. Try to locate valuable documents and records.
*Begin saving receipts for any money you spend related to
fire loss. The receipts may be needed later by the insurance company and
for verifying losses claimed on income tax.
*Notify your mortgage company of the fire.
Prevent Home Fires – Home fires are preventable! The following are simple steps that each of us can take to prevent a tragedy.
Cooking
*Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or
broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn
off the stove.
*Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when
cooking.
*Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a
“kid-free zone” of 3 feet around the stove.
*Position barbecue grills at least 10 feet away from siding
and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
Smoking
*Smoke outside and completely stub out butts in an ashtray
or a can filled with sand.
*Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing
them away. Never toss hot cigarette butts or ashes in the trash can.
*Never smoke in a home where oxygen is used, even if it is
turned off. Oxygen can be explosive and makes fire burn hotter and faster.
*Be alert – don’t smoke in bed! If you are sleepy, have been
drinking, or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy, put your cigarette out
first.
Electrical and
Appliance Safety
*Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or
damaged appliance cords immediately and do not run cords under rugs or
furniture.
*If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a
three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension
cord.
*Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light
switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.
Portable Space Heaters
*Keep combustible objects at least three feet away from
portable heating devices.
*Buy only heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized
laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
*Check to make the portable heater has a thermostat control
mechanism, and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over.
*Only use crystal clear K-1 kerosene in kerosene heaters.
Never overfill it. Use the heater in a well-ventilated room.
Fireplaces and
Woodstoves
*Inspect and clean woodstove pipes and chimneys annually and
check monthly for damage or obstructions.
*Use a fireplace screen heavy enough to stop rolling logs
and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace to catch flying
sparks.
*Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the
house or going to bed.
Children
*Take the mystery out of fire play by teaching children that
fire is a tool, not a toy.
*Store matches and lighters out of children’s reach and
sight, preferably in a locked cabinet.
*Never leave children unattended near operating stoves or
burning candles, even for a short time.
More Prevention Tips
*Never use a stove range or oven to heat your home.
*Keep combustible and flammable liquids away from heat
sources.
*Portable generators should NEVER be used indoors and should
only be refueled outdoors or in well-ventilated areas.
SOURCES
Used for Audio
Farmers’ Almanac, “Winter Solstice 2020: When Is It, and What Is It?” online at
https://www.farmersalmanac.com/winter-solstice-first-day-winter.
Federal Emergency Management Agency:
“Build a Kit,” online at https://www.ready.gov/kit;
“Car Safety,” online at https://www.ready.gov/car;
“How to Prepare for a Winter Storm,” online (as a PDF) at https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1494008826172-76da095c3a5d6502ec66e3b81d5bb12a/FEMA_2017_WinterStorm_HTP_FINAL.pdf.
“Make a Plan,” online at https://www.ready.gov/plan;
“Snowstorms and Extreme Cold,” online at http://www.ready.gov/winter-weather.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), “Weather Radio All
Hazards” network, online at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/.
National Weather Service/Cleveland, Ohio, Forecast Office, “The Seasons, the
Equinox, and the Solstices,” online at https://www.weather.gov/cle/seasons.
TimeandDate.com, “Winter Solstice—Shortest Day of the Year,” online at https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/winter-solstice.html.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
“Carbon Monoxide Poisoning/Frequently Asked Questions,” online at https://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm;
“Proper Use of Candles During a Power Outage,” online at https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/psa/candles.html.
Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), online at https://www.vaemergency.gov/. This is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s
central source of information on preparedness for all types of emergencies and
disasters. See “Winter Weather,” online
at https://www.vaemergency.gov/winter-weather/;
“Fires,” online at https://www.vaemergency.gov/fires/;
and “Make an Car Emergency Kit” (1 min./31 sec. video), online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPgvWgtiWHI.
Virginia Department of Transportation, “Virginia Traffic Information,” online
at http://www.511virginia.org/.
For More Information about Winter Weather and Preparedness
American Red Cross, “Winter Storm Safety,” online at https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm.html,
or contact your local Red Cross chapter.
National Weather Service, “Weather and Water Events Preparedness Calendar,”
online at https://www.weather.gov/safety/events_calendar.
This page lists events, such as “Winter Weather Awareness Day/Week,” by state.
U.S. Department of Energy, “Portable Heaters,” online at http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/portable-heaters.
U.S. Fire Administration, “Fire Prevention,” online at https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/.
RELATED VIRGINIA WATER RADIO EPISODES
All Water Radio episodes are listed by category at the Index link above (http://www.virginiawaterradio.org/p/index.html). See particularly the “Weather/Climate/Natural Disasters” subject category.
Following are links to some other episodes related to
winter weather.
Episode
258, 3-23-15 – on winter precipitation and water supplies.
Episode
300, 1-25-16 – on words for snow.
Episode
403, 1-15-18 – on freezing and ice, for kindergarten through 3rd grade.
Episode
404, 1-22-18 – on ice on ponds and lakes, for 4th through 8th grade.
Episode
406, 2-5-18 – on ice on rivers, for middle school.
Episode
407, 2-12-18 – on snow chemistry and physics, for high school.
Episode
461, 2-25-19 – on snow, sleet, and freezing rain.
Following are links to previous years’ winter-preparedness episodes
featuring winter-related music. The content of these episodes is similar to
this year’s episode, but the music differs.
Episode
242, 12-1-14 – featuring “Cold World” by Kat Mills.
Episode
292, 11-30-15 – featuring “Winter is Coming” by The Steel Wheels.
Episode
344, 11-28-16 – featuring “Drive the Cold Winter Away” by Timothy Seaman.
Episode
396, 11-27-17 – featuring “Winter’s Fall” by No Strings Attached.
Episode
448, 11-26-18 – featuring “New Boots” by John McCutcheon.
Episode 501, 12-2-19 – featuring
“Cold Frosty Morn’” by New Standard.
FOR VIRGINIA TEACHERS – RELATED STANDARDS OF LEARNING (SOLs) AND OTHER INFORMATION
Following are some Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) that may be supported by this episode’s audio/transcript, sources, or other information included in this post.
2020 Music SOLs
SOLs at various grade levels that call for “examining the relationship of music to the other fine arts and other fields of knowledge.”
2018 Science SOLs
Grades K-5 Earth and
Space Systems
K.9 – Patterns in nature, including daily weather, seasonal
changes, and day and night.
1.6 – Relationship between the sun and Earth.
1.7 – Weather and seasonal changes, including changes in
temperature, light, and precipitation that affect plants and animals, including
humans.
2.6 – Different types of weather on Earth.
2.7 – Weather patterns and seasonal changes that affect
plants, animals, and their surroundings.
3.7 – The water cycle and water’s importance to life on
Earth.
4.4 – Weather conditions and climate effects on ecosystems.
4.6 – Relationships among Earth, the moon, and the sun.
Grade 6
6.3 – Relationship between the sun, Earth, and the moon.
6.4 – Basic sources of energy and energy transformations.
6.7 – Air properties and the Earth’s atmosphere.
Life Science
LS.8 – Changes in
ecosystems, communities, populations, and organisms over time, including
seasonal changes.
Earth Science
ES.3 – Earth in the solar system.
ES.8 – Freshwater resources, geologic processes, and human
activity, including weather’s effects on water supply.
ES.11 – The atmosphere as a complex, dynamic system subject
to long-and short-term variations.
ES.12 – The Earth’s weather and climate as the result of the
interaction of the sun’s energy with the atmosphere, oceans, and the land.
Biology
BIO.8 – Dynamic equilibria within populations, communities,
and ecosystems.
2015 Social Studies SOLs
Grades K-3 Geography
Theme
1.6 – Virginia climate, seasons, and landforms.
Civics and Economics
Course
CE.6 – government at the national level.
CE.7 – government at the state level.
World Geography Course
WG.2 – how selected physical and ecological processes shape
the Earth’s surface, including climate, weather, and how humans influence their
environment and are influenced by it.
Government Course
GOVT.7 – national government organization and powers.
GOVT.8 – state and local government organization and powers.
Virginia’s SOLs are available from the Virginia Department of Education, online at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/.
Following are links to Water Radio episodes (various topics) designed especially for certain K-12 grade
levels.
Episode
250, 1-26-15 – on boiling, for kindergarten through 3rd grade.
Episode
255, 3-2-15 – on density, for 5th and 6th grade.
Episode 282, 9-21-15 – on living
vs. non-living, for kindergarten.
Episode 309, 3-28-16 – on
temperature regulation in animals, for kindergarten through 12th
grade.
Episode
333, 9-12-16 – on dissolved gases,
especially dissolved oxygen in aquatic habitats, for 5th grade.
Episode 403, 1-15-18 – on freezing
and ice, for kindergarten through 3rd grade.
Episode
404, 1-22-18 – on ice on ponds and lakes, for 4th through 8th
grade.
Episode
406, 2-5-18 – on ice on rivers, for middle school.
Episode
407, 2-12-18 – on snow chemistry and physics, for high school.
Episode
483, 7-29-19 – on buoyancy and drag, for middle school and high school.
Episode
524, 5-11-20 – on sounds by water-related animals, for elementary school
through high school.
Episode
531, 6-29-20 – on various ways that animals get water, for 3rd
and 4th grade.
Episode
539, 8-24-20 – on basic numbers and facts about Virginia’s water resources,
for 4th and 6th grade.
