Safety during winter weather

When bone-chilling temperatures set in, the American Red Cross urges everyone to be safe and prepare as much as possible.
Winter storms safety checklist

Prepare a Winter Storm Plan

• Have extra blankets on hand.
  
• Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water-resistant boots.
  
• Assemble a disaster supplies kit containing:
  
• First aid kit and essential medications.
  
• Battery-powered weather radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
  
• Canned food and can opener.
  
• Bottled water (at least one gallon of water per person per day to last at least three days).
  
• Extra warm clothing, including boots, mittens and a hat.
  
• Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit for your car, too.
  
• Have your car winterized before winter storm season.

Stay Tuned for Storm Warnings

• Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information.
  
• Be alert to changing weather conditions.
  
• Avoid unnecessary travel.
  
• Stay indoors during the storm.
  
• If you must go outside, several layers of lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Gloves (or mittens) and a hat will prevent loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs.
  
• Understand the hazards of wind chill, which combines the cooling effect of wind and cold temperatures on exposed skin.
  
• As the wind increases, heat is carried away from a person’s body at an accelerated rated, driving down the body temperature.
  
• Walk carefully on snowy, icy, sidewalks.
  
• After the storm, if you shovel snow, be extremely careful. It is physically strenuous work, so take frequent breaks. Avoid overexertion.

If You Must Travel

• Carry a Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk.
  
• Keep your car’s gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
  
• Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.

If You Do Get Stuck...

• Stay with your car. Do not try to walk to safety.
  
• Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see.
  
• Start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won’t back up in the car.
  
• Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so that you can be seen.
  
• As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to stay warm.
  
• Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air.

What to Do After a Winter Storm

• Continue listening to local radio or television stations updated information and instructions. Access may be limited to some parts of the community, or roads may be blocked.
  
• Help a neighbor who may require special assistance--infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations.
  
• Avoid driving and other travel until conditions have improved. Roads may be blocked by snow or emergency vehicles.
  
• Avoid overexertion. Heart attacks from shoveling heavy snow are a leading cause of deaths during winter.
  
• Follow forecasts and be prepared when venturing outside. Major winter storms are often followed by even colder conditions.

Many people might look to cut down on expenses when temperatures drop and home-heating costs rise. However, using candles and space heaters can lead to an increase in home fires:

Heat your home safely

• All heaters need space! Keep things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, fireplaces and stoves.
  
• Place portable space heaters on a hard, level, nonflammable surface.  Do not put space heaters on rugs or carpets, near bedding or drapes, and keep children and pets away.  Look for a model that shuts off automatically if the space heater tips over.  Do not use heating equipment to dry wet clothing.
  
• Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.
  
• Never leave portable heaters, wood burning stoves or fireplaces unattended.  Turn them off before leaving or going to bed.
  
• Keep the fire in the fireplace by using a glass or metal screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

Cut down on your heating bills

• Eliminate drafts. Use either insulating tape or caulking strips to surround windows and door moldings.  Cover your windows with plastic sheeting.  If you have storm windows or storm doors, get them up to keep the cold out.
  
• Make sure heat vents aren’t blocked by furniture.
  
• Turn down the thermostat. 
  
• Close off any rooms that aren’t in use and close heat vents or turn off radiators in those rooms.
  
• Insulate your light switch and outlet plates with foam pads. Cold air can seep into the house through them.
  
• Use heavy curtains to keep cold air out.  Open them during the day to let the sun help warm your home and close them at night.  Use fabric snakes or old carpets in front of windows and doors to help eliminate drafts.
  
• Turn off vent fans in the kitchen and bathroom when they are no longer needed. 
  
• Set ceiling fans to blow air down.

Don’t forget Fido and your neighbor

• Don’t forget pets – bring them indoors.  If that’s not possible, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they can get to unfrozen water.
  
• Check on people who require special assistance such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.

Tips for Protecting Yourself While Outdoors and Traveling

• Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks and stairs.
  
• Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing, which will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat.
  
• Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves. Wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.
  
• Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.
  
• If you shovel snow, be extremely careful. Take frequent breaks, stay hydrated and avoid overexertion.
  
• Minimize travel whenever possible. If travel is necessary keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle with extra food and blankets.
  
• Avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow or dense fog.
  
• Winterize your vehicle and keep the gas tank full. A full tank will keep the fuel line from freezing.
  
• Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of hypothermia including confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering.
  
• Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of frostbite including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, or waxy feeling skin.