Emergency Management Officials Offer Safety Tips

RALEIGH — February 4, 1996 - 2:16 p.m. EST

With widespread power and telephone outages, deadly cold temperatures and dangerous driving conditions gripping the state, Emergency Management officials have issued the following safety tips:

Conserve water, especially in areas that are without electric power.

Call 911onlyfor police, fire or medical emergencies. (Call power or phone companies to report outages.)

Check on your neighbors and friends. A family with a wood stove or fireplace can offer warmth and a cooking source to a family with no power.

Don't use charcoal as a heat or cooking source inside.

Use caution with candles and kerosene, gas or other space heaters. Do not let anything that might burn get close to these items.

Call your county's emergency management coordinator for information about shelters that may be open in your county. (Transportation to such shelters may be available in some areas.)

Stay tuned to local radio and television for news updates.NOTE: WRAL-TV 5 will be simulcasting its news broadcasts on MIX 101.5 Radio. If you lose power, you can listen to updated news, weather, closing information and road conditions on a battery-powered radio. These simultaneous broadcasts are scheduled for 6 and 11 p.m. Sunday