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·
Stay indoors and dress warmly during the storm.
Wearing layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing will
keep you warmer than one bulky sweater. Remove layers to avoid
overheating, perspiration and subsequent chill.
·
Listen to a battery-powered radio or television for
updated emergency information. If the power goes out, you will
still have access to important information.
·
Eat regularly. Food provides the body with
energy for producing its own heat.
·
Keep the body replenished with fluids to prevent
dehydration. Drink liquids such as warm broth or juices. Avoid
caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine, a stimulant, accelerates the
symptoms of hypothermia. Alcohol, such as brandy, is a depressant
and hastens the effects of cold on the body. Alcohol also slows
circulation and can make you less aware of the effects of cold. Both
caffeine and alcohol can cause dehydration.
·
Conserve fuel. Winter storms can last for
several days. Great demand may be placed on electric, gas, and other
fuel distribution systems (fuel oil, propane, etc.). Suppliers of
propane and fuel oil may not be able to replenish depleted supplies
during severe weather. Electric and gas services may be temporarily
disrupted when many people demand large amounts at the same time.
Lower the thermostat to 65°F during the day and 55°F at night. Close
off unused rooms, and stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors.
Cover windows at night.
·
If you must go outside, protect yourself from
winter storm hazards.
o
Wear layered clothing, mittens or gloves, and a
hat. Layering clothes will keep you warmer than a single heavy
coat. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
Mittens or gloves and a hat will prevent loss of body heat. Mittens
are warmer than gloves because fingers maintain more warmth when
they touch each other. Half of your body heat loss is from the head.
o
Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from
extremely cold air. Avoid taking deep breaths; minimize talking.
o
Watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
Frostbite is a severe reaction to cold exposure that can cause
permanent harm to people. A loss of feeling and a white or pale
appearance in fingers, toes, nose, or earlobes are symptoms of
frostbite. Hypothermia is a condition brought on when the body
temperature drops to less than 95°F. Symptoms of hypothermia include
uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, frequent
stumbling, drowsiness, and exhaustion. Hypothermia is not always
fatal, but for those who survive there are likely to be lasting
kidney, liver, and pancreas problems.
If frostbite or hypothermia is
suspected, begin warming the person slowly and seek immediate
medical assistance. Warm the person's trunk first. Using your own
body heat will help. Arms and legs should be warmed last because
stimulation of the limbs can drive cold blood toward the heart and
lead to heart failure. Put the person in dry clothing and wrap their
entire body in a blanket. Never give a frostbite or hypothermia
victim alcohol or something with caffeine in it, like coffee or tea.
Caffeine, a stimulant, can cause the heart to beat faster and hasten
the effect the cold has on the body. Alcohol, a depressant, can slow
the heart and also hasten the ill effects of the cold.
o
Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to
prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses much of its
insulating value and transmits heat rapidly away from the body.
o
Stretch before you go out. If you go out to
shovel snow, do a few stretching exercises to warm up your body.
This will reduce your chances of muscle injury.
o
Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling heavy snow,
pushing a car, or walking in deep snow. The strain from the cold
and the hard labor may cause a heart attack. Sweating could lead to
a chill and hypothermia.
o
Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks. Slips
and falls occur frequently in winter weather, resulting in painful
and sometimes disabling injury.
·
If you must go out during a winter storm, use
public transportation if possible. About 70 percent of winter
deaths related to ice and snow occur in automobiles.
Back to Top
Winter Driving
·
Have your car(s) winterized before the winter storm
season. Keeping your car(s) in good condition will decrease your
chance of being stranded in cold weather. Have a mechanic check your
battery, antifreeze, wipers and windshield washer fluid, ignition
system, thermostat, lights, flashing hazard lights, exhaust system,
heater, brakes, defroster, and oil level. If necessary, replace
existing oil with a winter grade oil. Install good winter tires.
Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are
usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some
jurisdictions require that to drive on their roads, vehicles must be
equipped with chains or snow tires with studs.
·
If you have a cell phone or two-way radio available
for your use, keep the battery charged and keep it with you whenever
traveling in winter weather. If you should become stranded, you
will be able to call for help, advising rescuers of your location.
·
Keep a windshield scraper and small broom in your
car for ice and snow removal.
·
Put together a separate disaster supplies kit for
the trunk of each car used by members of your household. You
should also bring a thermos of warm broth if you are on the road
during a winter storm. If you should become stranded during a winter
storm, these items will make you more comfortable until the storm
passes. The kit should include the following:
o
Several blankets or sleeping bags.
o
Rain gear and extra sets of dry clothing, mittens,
socks, and a wool cap.
o
Extra newspapers for insulation.
[to top of second column] |
o
Plastic bags for sanitation.
o
Canned fruit, nuts, and high energy "munchies."
Non-electric can opener if necessary.
o
Several bottles of water. Eating snow will lower your
body temperature. If necessary, melt it first.
o
Cans of broth or soup.
o
A small shovel, a pocket knife, and small tools, such
as pliers, a wrench, and screwdriver.
o
A small sack of sand for generating traction under
wheels, a set of tire chains or traction mats.
o
Jumper cables.
o
A first aid kit and necessary medications.
o
A flashlight with extra batteries.
o
A candle in a metal can or other fireproof container.
While candles are generally not recommended in disaster situations,
having one in your car can be a source of heat and light if you are
stranded.
o
Matches.
o
Cards, games, and puzzles.
o
A brightly colored cloth to tie to the antenna.
·
Keep your car's gas tank full for emergency use and
to keep the fuel line from freezing.
·
Plan long trips carefully. Traveling during
winter weather can be hazardous. Listen to the radio or call the
state highway patrol for the latest road conditions. Plan to travel
during daylight and, if possible, take at least one other person.
·
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.
·
Be aware of sleet, freezing rain, freezing drizzle,
and dense fog, which can make driving very hazardous. The
leading cause of death during winter storms is from automobile or
other transportation accidents. During winter weather conditions,
multiple vehicle accidents are more likely to occur, resulting in
injury and death. Avoid driving during sleet, freezing rain,
freezing drizzle, and dense fog--these serious conditions are often
underestimated.
·
If you do get stuck:
o
Stay with your vehicle. Do not leave the
vehicle to search for assistance unless help is visible within 100
yards. Disorientation and confusion come very quickly in blowing
snow. Avoid traveling during winter storms. If you must travel and
do become stranded, it is better to stay in the vehicle and wait for
help.
o
Display a trouble sign to indicate you need help.
Hang a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) on the radio antenna
and raise the hood (after snow stops falling).
o
Occasionally run engine to keep warm. Carbon
monoxide can build up inside a standing vehicle while the engine is
running, even if the exhaust pipe is clear. Experience has shown
that running the heater for 10 minutes every hour is enough to keep
occupants warm and will reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning
and conserve fuel. Turn on the engine for about 10 minutes each hour
(or 5 minutes every half hour). Use the heater while the engine is
running. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow and slightly open a
downwind window for ventilation.
o
Leave the overhead light on when the engine is
running so that you can be seen.
o
Do minor exercises to keep up circulation. Clap
hands and move arms and legs occasionally. Try not to stay in one
position for too long.
o
If more than one person is in the car, take turns
sleeping. One of the first signs of hypothermia is sleepiness.
If you are not awakened periodically to increase body temperature
and circulation, you can freeze to death.
o
Huddle together for warmth.
o
Use newspapers, maps, and even the removable car
mats for added insulation. Layering items will help trap more
body heat.
o
Keep a window that is away from the blowing wind
slightly open to let in air.
o
Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
Severe cold can cause numbness, making you unaware of possible
danger. Keep fingers and toes moving for circulation, huddle
together, and drink warm broth to reduce risk of further injury.
o
Drink fluids to avoid dehydration. Bulky winter
clothing can cause you to sweat, but cold dry air will help the
sweat evaporate, making you unaware of possible dehydration. When
individuals are dehydrated, they are more susceptible to the effects
of cold and heart attacks. Melt snow before using it for drinking
water. Eating snow lowers your body temperature, increasing risk
from hypothermia.
o
Avoid overexertion. Cold weather puts an added
strain on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or
pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make other medical
conditions worse.
[Text copied from file received from
the
American Red Cross] |
