January, 2003

Surviving A Winter Storm

Follow these safety tips to survive a snow or ice storm at home:

1. Be prepared. Before cold weather hits, make sure you have a way to heat your home during a power failure. Keep a multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher nearby when using alternative heating sources.
2. Keep on hand extra blankets, flashlights with extra batteries, matches, a first aid kit, manual can opener, snow shovel and rock salt, and special needs items (e.g., diapers).
3. Stock a few days' supply of water, required medications, and food that does not need to be refrigerated or cooked.
4. Monitor the temperature of your home. Infants and persons over age 65 are especially susceptible to cold. If it's not possible to keep your home warm, stay with friends or family or in a shelter.
5. Dress in several layers to maintain body heat. Covering up with blankets can also conserve heat.
   Snow, ice, and extreme cold can make driving treacherous.

Follow these safety tips to make winter car travel safer.

1. Before winter arrives, have your car tuned up, check the level of antifreeze, make sure the battery is good, and check your tire tread or put on snow tires.
2. Keep emergency gear in your car for everyday trips:
   a. cell phone
   b. flashlight
   c. jumper cables
   d. sand or kitty litter (for traction)
   e. ice scraper, snow brush, and small shovel
   f. blankets
   g. warning devices (e.g., flares, reflectors)
3. For long car trips, keep food, water, extra blankets, and required medication on hand.
4. Avoid driving in snow or ice storms. If you must travel in bad weather, drive slowly. Let someone know what route you're taking and when you plan to arrive so they can alert authorities if you don't get there.
5. If your car is parked outside, make sure the exhaust pipe and the area around it are free of snow before you start the car. Snow packed in or around the exhaust pipe can cause high levels of carbon monoxide in the car.
6. Don't sit in a parked car with the engine running unless a window is open. Do not let your car run while parked in a garage.
7. If your car stalls or gets stuck in snow, light two flares and place one at each end of the car, a safe distance away. Make sure snow has not blocked the exhaust pipe. Then stay in your vehicle and open a window slightly to let in fresh air. Wrap yourself in blankets and run your vehicle's heater for a few minutes every hour to keep warm.
   

Copyright 2002, Drew Memorial Hospital