Back ST. LOUIS (Friday, December 20, 2002)- As temperatures continue to drop and winter weather approaches, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter offers winter weather tips to help St. Louisans prepare for and keep safe throughout the cold winter months. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, about 70 percent of automobile accidents resulting in death are ice or snow related. Another 25 percent of winter deaths can be attributed to people being caught out in a storm. The National Weather Service reports that many people die each year when they attempt to leave their vehicle during a storm to walk to safety. "People should listen to local weather forecasts and The Weather Channel, and plan to stay home when the weather is going to get bad," said Mike Thiemann, Community Disaster Education Specialist, American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter. "If travel is necessary, it's best to inform someone of your travel route, destination and expected arrival time. It's also a good idea to create a disaster supplies kit for your car that includes a flashlight with fresh batteries. And remember to keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines." Thiemann also recommends that people make a new year's resolution to create a family disaster plan that can prepare the entire family for a natural disaster such as a winter storm. "If you are prepared for a disaster, no matter what type of disaster it is, you are less likely to panic and stress out. The better prepared you are, the better off you and your family will be. Practice the disaster plan and involve every member of your family." Information on creating a disaster plan can be found at www.redcrossstl.org The St. Louis Area Chapter provides free disaster preparedness training to community groups, including elementary schools, workplaces, civic groups and seniors. For more information on community education services, please call the Red Cross at 314-516-2800 or visit the web at www.redcrossstl.org. About the St. Louis Area Chapter Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter provides emergency and preparedness assistance more than 354,000 times to St. Louis-area residents each year. The Red Cross depends on the efforts of 14,700 volunteers and 150 staff to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, adult daytime professional care, services to military personnel, assistance to homeless families, and support for blood services. The Chapter provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as St. Clair and Monroe Counties, and part of Madison County in Illinois.

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