Carpino: Sign up for Emergency Alerts this Winter

Residents should be aware of the availability of the State of Connecticut’s Emergency Alerting and Notification Systems (ENS). Residents can subscribe to receive text, instant message or email alerts for location-based life-threatening emergencies.

Winter has arrived and with it comes the potential for serious hazards and emergencies related to the weather. This is a great time to take advantage of this system and sign up on the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security website to be certain you and your family will be alerted right away to any emergency in your area that you need to know about.

In 2009 Connecticut became the first state to implement such a notification system, allowing citizens to protect lives and property by providing crucial and timely information.

Sign up for alerts by visiting the DEMHS page here: http://www.ct.gov/ctalert/site/default.asp

All drivers should also consider having an emergency kit in their cars, especially during the winter. According to FEMA, the kit should include jumper cables, flashlight and batteries, a first aid kit, water and food items, radio, cat litter for traction, blankets or sleeping bags, flares or reflective triangles among other items.

If you are travelling on the road in the winter it is a good idea to build a kit and store it in your car. You never know when an emergency may occur. It’s far better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me at (860) 842-1423 or Christie.Carpino@housegop.ct.gov if you have any questions regarding state government.