Are you ready for our first significant arctic blast of the winter season? Ready or not, frigid temperatures will arrive by Sunday morning. With an unusually warm winter season thus far, I talked with Allen County EMA Director, Tom Berger, about some important measures to take should you have to venture outside. Many people will stay inside their homes using heaters and furnaces to stay warm, but not properly operating these heat sources could result in fires. To help raise awareness on ways to prevent winter house fires, I visited Warren Pughsley, an Inspector with the Lima Fire Department, about determining strategies to reduce the risk of house fires during cold weather.

Winter is almost here, and that means hazardous snow, ice, and cold could make an appearance soon! To ensure residents are prepared, the State of Ohio has recognized this week, November 12th through the 18th, as "Winter Safety Awareness Week," a time that Allen County EMA Director, Tom Berger, wants everyone to use to make sure they are winter weather ready.