To those we have lost.

I love that NORAD makes their Santa tracking available fo rthe kiddos.

More information from Ready Wisconsin.

Protect Yourself From Carbon Monoxide

To help protect your family from carbon monoxide, follow these simple safety tips:

* Make sure you have working CO detectors. All homes and duplexes in Wisconsin are required to have CO detectors on every level including the basement, but not the attic or storage areas.

* Have your furnace or wood-burning stove inspected annually to make sure it is structurally and functionally sound and vents properly to the outside of your home.

* Never run a gasoline or propane heater or a grill (gas or charcoal) inside your home or an unventilated garage. Any heating system that burns fuel will produce carbon monoxide. Use a battery-powered detector where you have fuel burning devices but no electric outlets, such as in tents, cabins, RVs, and boats with enclosed cabins.

* Never run a car in an enclosed space. If a vehicle is running, you must have a door open to the outside.

* Generators should be run a safe distance from the home. Never run a generator in the home or garage, or right next to windows or doors.

Breathing carbon monoxide displaces the oxygen in the blood and can cause death within minutes at high levels. Symptoms of overexposure to carbon monoxide are often mistaken for the flu and include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath/chest pain, nausea/vomiting, and confusion. If you experience any of these symptoms, or your carbon monoxide detector sounds an alarm, head outside immediately for fresh air and call 911.

More information from Ready Wisconsin

Some of the dangers associated with winter storms include loss of heat, power and telephone service and a shortage of supplies. To help protect your family, now is the time to put together a disaster supply kit. Here are some items to include:
* Flashlights and extra batteries
* Battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and a commercial radio
* Bottled water and non-perishable food that requires no cooking
* First-aid supplies
* Fire extinguisher, smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector
* If appropriate, extra medications and baby items
* If you have an emergency heating source such as a fireplace or space heater, make sure you have proper ventilation
* Make sure pets have shelter and plenty of food and water

For additional information, contact your county or tribal emergency management office, the National Weather Service or ReadyWisconsin.wi.gov.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issues winter storm warnings and watches. Here’s what they mean and what you should do.

Winter Weather Advisory

There is a high confidence that a hazardous winter event will occur over a 12 hour period (e.g., 3 to 5 inches of snow) but should not become life threatening if caution is used.

Winter Storm Watch

Winter storm conditions including freezing rain, sleet, and heavy snow are possible within the next 36-48 hours. Continue monitoring the weather forecast.

Winter Storm or Ice Storm Warning

A significant winter storm is occurring or will begin in the next 24-36 hours. Heavy snow (e.g., 6 inches in 12 hours) or the combination of snow, sleet, freezing rain, and moderate winds will impact travel and outdoor activities and could become dangerous or deadly. An Ice Storm Warning is issued when mostly freezing rain is expected with ice accumulations of at least ¼ inch within a 12-hour period. When a Warning is issued, take necessary precautions – consider canceling travel plans.

Blizzard Warning

A dangerous storm with winds that are 35 mph or greater in combination with falling and/or blowing snow that reduces visibility to 1/4 mile or less for a duration of at least 3 hours. Canceling travel plans is advised.

Wind Chill Advisory

Issued for bitter cold wind chills of 20 to 34 below zero (25 to 34 below zero in the northwest portion of the state)

Wind Chill Warning

Issued with wind chills of 35F below zero (40F below zero for far NW portion of Wisconsin). Frostbite is possible when outside for 10 minutes or less.