MADISON (NEWS RELEASE) – Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer. It is also a great time to make sure your family is prepared for emergencies before hitting the highways. Expect heavy traffic on Wisconsin roads and highways this weekend. Before you leave, make sure you:
- Check your routes ahead of time for road construction and other possible delays. Call 511 or go to www.511wi.gov for the latest road conditions across Wisconsin.
- Make sure you have an emergency supply kit in your vehicle with a first aid kit, flashlight and other supplies.
- Let someone know your destination, your route and when you expect to arrive.
- Never leave children, disabled persons, or pets in a parked car – even briefly. Temperatures in a car can become life threatening within minutes. On an 80-degree day, the temperature inside a car even with the windows cracked slightly can reach 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes!
- Take along a portable weather radio. They are important to have when you are enjoying the outdoors such as camping and boating. A portable weather radio provides alerts about potential severe weather and non-weather emergencies.
"Taking these extra steps before you travel will help keep you and your family safe this holiday weekend," said Tod Pritchard with Wisconsin Emergency Management. Information about Wisconsin disasters, safety tips and emergency supply checklists are available at readywisconsin.wi.gov
