Prepping for Winter Weather

Winter Weather in the Forecast? Take These Steps to Prepare.

Do you know what to do to keep your family safe from winter weather? The safest place to be in a winter storm, in fact, is inside. If you must go outside, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.

Tips for protecting yourself from winter storm hazards include:

• Wear layered clothing, mittens or gloves, and a hat. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Mittens or gloves and a hat will prevent the loss of body heat.
• Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from severely cold air. Avoid taking deep breaths; minimize talking.
• Watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
• 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.
• 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.
• Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling heavy snow, pushing a vehicle, 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.
• Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks. Slips and falls occur frequently in winter weather, resulting in painful and sometimes disabling injuries.

Traveling can be stressful. Add in the complications of the holidays and a winter storm and things can turn downright dangerous. It is essential to plan and to only travel in poor conditions when absolutely necessary.

If you must drive in winter weather, pack the following items:

• An emergency supply kit, including warm clothing, water and snacks.
• A windshield scraper and small broom.
• A small sack of sand for generating traction under wheels and a set of tire chains or traction mats.
• Matches in a waterproof container.
• A brightly colored (preferably red) cloth to tie to the antenna

If you become stranded in a vehicle:

• Stay in the vehicle and wait for help. Do not leave the vehicle to search for assistance unless help is visible within 100 yards (91 meters). You can quickly become disoriented and confused in blowing snow.
• 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.
• Run the engine occasionally to keep warm. Turn on the engine for about 10 minutes each hour (or five minutes every half hour). Running the engine for only short periods reduces the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and conserves fuel. Use the heater while the engine is running. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and slightly open a downwind window for ventilation.
• Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so that you can be seen.

For more information on how to keep your family and property safe from winter weather, visit redcross.org.

By Stephanie Fox, Media Relations Lead, American Red Cross