Seasoned Minnesotans may claim that nothing about a Minnesota winter could surprise them, but statistics say otherwise. That’s why the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and a group of seven partners annually sponsor Winter Hazard Awareness Week. 

This year’s event, from Nov. 9–13, focuses on preparedness and prevention, and adds a new Winter Photo Contest.

A major component of the event is a fact-filled Web site at www.winterweather.state.mn.us. Information for media and public safety professionals, families, teachers and children is organized by safety topics that include outdoor activity, indoor air, cars and travel, and fire prevention. The site includes statistics on each topic, along with downloadable artwork, fact sheets and workbooks. Contributors include state departments of Safety, Health and Natural Resources, the Minnesota Safety Council, the American Red Cross and the Insurance Federation of Minnesota.

A new addition to the Winter Hazard Awareness Week event is the “What’s Your Winter?” online photo contest. The sponsors invite amateur photographers to submit photographs in four categories: Mother Nature, Winter Holidays, Kids in Winter and Outdoor Winter Sports. Age divisions are 15 and younger, and 16 and older, with a grand prize in each division and a prize for first, second and third place in each category. 

Submissions will be displayed on the Winter Hazard Awareness Week Web site. The prizes include a Red Cross Deluxe Emergency Preparedness Kit,  a pocket digital camera, a first aid kit and all-weather flashlight, an LED glow-stick/whistle and other items. A link to contest rules is on the Winter Hazard Awareness Web site.

Wade Setter, deputy director of the Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, encourages Minnesotans to spend some time on the site. “This website isn’t a safety lecture,” he says. “It’s more like a new look at Old Man Winter, and a great place to browse. In addition to some surprising statistics, there are safety tips and a great way to share those winter photos you’re proud of. ”Highlights of Winter Hazard Awareness week include: Outdoors in Minnesota·     

For more facts and tips, visit www.winterweather.state.mn.us