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What you should know about Winter Weather
- Know what to do before, during, and after a winter storm.
- Listen to local officials.
- Have emergency supplies in place at home, at work, and in the car.
- Stay off the road during and after a winter storm.
- Have a carbon monoxide alarm in place, especially if using alternative heating devices.
- Use safe heating devices.
General
Emergency Kit
- Include enough food, water, meds & anything used daily in your emergency kit to last for at least 72 hrs
- Before a Winter Storm: Have emergency supplies ready in your home; when the storm hits, stay put and off the roads.
- Winter is just around the corner. Get prepared by updating your emergency kit: www.ready.gov/kit
- Get ahead of winter storms by making sure your emergency kit for your car is fully stocked: www.ready.gov/car
- Keep water, non-perishable food, and an extra set of warm clothes in the car in case you get stranded during winter weather.
- Prepare for winter by keeping an emergency supply kit in your car with these extras:
- Jumper cables
- Flares or reflective triangle
- Ice scraper
- Car cell phone charger
- Cat litter or sand for better tire traction
- More: www.ready.gov/car
Outdoors & Traveling
- Cold can kill. Dress in layers, cover skin and limit time outside. www.ready.gov/winter
- Shoveling snow can be a health risk, so remember to take it easy. Learn more at http://weather.gov/winter
- Stay off icy roads when Winter Storm advisories & watches are issued.
- Winter Weather travel tip: follow directions from local officials & build an emergency car kit. More tips www.ready.gov/winter
- Stay off roads during & after a winter storm. If you must drive “Don’t Crowd the Plow!”
- Hitting the road this winter? An emergency kit for your car might come in handy when you least expect it!
- Prepare your car for winter: keep your gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
- Ice and snow, take it slow—slower speed, slower acceleration, slower steering, and slower braking.
- Snow Storm tip: clear snow & ice off of fire hydrants so fire departments can gain access.
- Layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than one bulky sweater.
- When it’s freezing limit time outside and check on your neighbors!
- Freezing temperatures increase frostbite risk. Learn the warning signs of frostbite: www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter
- Many people die each year from heart attacks brought on by shoveling snow. Pace yourself & get your neighbors involved.
- Do your part to keep everyone safe on the roads this winter. Learn more at http://weather.gov/winter
Pets
- Winter Safety Tip: Bring your furry friends inside when temperatures take a dip! More pet prep tips: www.ready.gov/pets
- Tip: Wipe dog’s paws after each trip outside. Ice-melting chemicals or rock salt can cause irritation, sickness or be fatal
- Winter Safety Tip: Bring your furry friends inside when temperatures take a dip! More pet prep tips: www.ready.gov/pets
- Your pet may think antifreeze is sweet, but it can be deadly. Find out more: www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/antifreeze.html
Heating Safety
- Space heaters cause 1/3 of home heating fires and 4/5 home heating fires deaths. Protect your family with tips from USFA http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/top-causes-of-fire/heating
- Heating is the 2nd leading cause of home fires after cooking. Get Winter Safety tips from USFA www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/heating.html
- Shivering, memory loss, and slurred speech signs of hypothermia. Learn the other signs here: www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/index.html
- Staying warm with a space heater? Make sure it has an auto shut-off in case it tips over.
- Winter fires can be deadly. When using your fireplace always keep a metal or heat tempered screen around it to stay safe.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from a fireplace, wood stove, or space heater.
- Watch this short video from @usfa to learn how to prevent portable heater fires in your home this Winter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AMQ1ASnmNU
- If you’re running a portable generator, you need to have a working Carbon Monoxide alarm in your home.
- Winter Safety Tip: NEVER use a generator, camp stove, charcoal grill, gasoline or propane heater indoors.
- NEVER heat a home by using the stovetop or oven.
- Keep generators outside at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, and vents to avoid accidental CO poisoning.
- Wear layered clothing and use blankets to stay warm during a Winter Storm.
- Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths in the U.S. How to keep safe: www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/top-causes-of-fire/heating
Power Outage Safety
- Winter Storms can cause power outages. Share these tips and prepare now: www.ready.gov/power-outages
- Make a plan to check on neighbors if extreme cold or winter weather knocks out your power.
- Get the kids involved in preparing for power outages before winter weather: www.ready.gov/kids/know-the-facts/blackouts
- Power Outage tip: Dim the brightness in your cell phone settings to save battery life.
- Need to take shelter in extreme cold? Contact your local Office of Emergency Management to find a warming center near you: www.fema.gov/emergency-management-agencies
