STAYING SAFE DURING A WINTER STORM
We're here to help protect you before, during and after a natural disaster.
Here's a quick view of what to do before a natural disaster hits.
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Step 1 of 4 Create an evacuation plan.
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Step 2 of 4 Grab your survival kit.
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Step 3 of 4 Gather important documents.
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Step 4 of 4 Photograph your property.
Take steps to protect your personal safety.
Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Begin treatment right away and get proper medical attention as soon as possible.
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Be ready to react.
Keep your vehicle's gas tank full so you can leave in an emergency. It will also keep the fuel line from freezing.
Ensure you have emergency supplies of food, water and warm clothing in case you're stuck in traffic or have an accident and have to wait several hours for assistance. Stay on main roads and don't crowd the snowplows.
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Know what to do outside.
Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Take breaks as needed.
If you have to drive, first make sure your vehicle, including the tailpipe, is clear of ice and snow. Flying snow from vehicles can cause accidents. Allow additional time for the vehicle to defrost.
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Know what to do inside.
It's not safe to turn on the stove for heat. Use extra blankets, sleeping bags or winter coats to keep warm if the power goes out.
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Keep heat sources like space heaters, at least three feet away from drapes, furniture, or bedding. Never cover your space heater.
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Close rooms you aren't using to avoid wasting heat.
Stay informed and help protect your family, pets and belongings.
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Frostbite causes loss of feeling and color around the face, fingers and toes. Signs include numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, and firm or waxy skin.
Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature. A temperature below 95 degrees is an emergency. Signs include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness. - Sign up and listen to emergency alerts, NOAA Weather Radio or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions, stay aware of the latest news and updates from your local media and fire department.
- Get your mobile devices ready for a storm.
Be ready to react.
- Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights. Keep in mind each person's and pet's specific needs, including medication. If you have alternative heating sources, be sure they're clean, in working order and have ample heating fuel in case of a power outage.
- Have the radiator system serviced, or check the antifreeze level yourself with an antifreeze tester. Add antifreeze as needed.
- Bring pets inside when temperatures dip. Don't forget to wipe your pet's paws. Ice-melting chemicals can make your pet sick. If you can't bring the pets inside, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm. Make sure they have access to unfrozen water.
Take steps to protect your personal safety.
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Frostbite causes loss of feeling and color around the face, fingers and toes. Signs include numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, and firm or waxy skin.
Actions: Go to a warm room. Soak in warm water. Use body heat to warm. Don't massage or use a heating pad.
Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature. A temperature below 95 degrees is an emergency. Signs include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness.
Actions: Go to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first — chest, neck, head and groin. Keep dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck.
Information from: https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather - If you have to drive, allow additional time to defrost your vehicle. Make sure your vehicle, including the tailpipe, is clear of ice and snow. Brush all the snow off the vehicle, so it doesn't fall onto your windshield while you're driving or fly onto other vehicles, causing an accident. Drive slowly and look out for obstacles.
- Be aware of black ice. It's patchy ice on roadways that can't easily be seen. Even if roadways have been cleared of snow following a storm, any water left on the roadways may freeze, resulting in a clear sheet of ice. It's most dangerous in the early morning due to below freezing nighttime temperatures.
- Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by following the manufacturer's instructions. Use generators, stoves and grills outside, away from windows and doors.
Know what to do outside.
- If your vehicle gets stuck during a storm, stay in the vehicle. If you leave your vehicle, you may become disoriented quickly in wind-driven snow and cold. Run the motor about 10 minutes every hour for heat, and open the window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Be visible to rescuers. Turn on the dome light at night when running the engine. Tie a bright-colored cloth, preferably red, to your antenna, if you have one, or door.
- Drink water to stay hydrated. Sweat evaporates more rapidly in the cold, dry air, which may result in dehydration.
Know what to do inside.
- Keep heat sources, like space heaters, at least 3 feet away from drapes, furniture or bedding. Never cover your space heater.
- Close rooms you aren't using to avoid wasting heat.
- Stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors and close blinds or curtains to keep in some heat.