| Here's what you can do to prepare for such an
emergency.
Prepare a Winter Storm Plan
- Have extra blankets on hand.
- Ensure that each member of your household has
a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water-resistant boots.
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Containing--
- First aid kit and essential medications.
- Battery-powered NOAA Weather radio,
flashlight, and extra batteries.
- Canned food and can opener.
- Bottled water (at least one gallon of water
per person per day to last at least 3 days).
- Extra warm clothing, including boots, mittens,
and a hat.
- Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit for your car,
too.
- Have your car winterized before winter storm
season.
Stay Tuned for Storm Warnings.
. .
- Listen to NOAA
Weather Radio and your local radio and TV stations for updated storm
information.
Know What Winter Storm WATCHES
and WARNINGS Mean
- A winter storm WATCH means a winter storm is
possible in your area.
- A winter storm WARNING means a winter storm is
headed for your area.
- A blizzard WARNING means strong winds,
blinding wind-driven snow, and dangerous wind chill are expected. Seek
shelter immediately!
When a Winter Storm WATCH is
Issued...
- Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio, and
TV stations, or cable TV such as The Weather Channel for further updates.
- Be alert to changing weather conditions.
- Avoid unnecessary travel.
When a Winter Storm WARNING is
Issued...
- Stay indoors during the storm.
- If you must go outside, several layers of
lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Gloves
(or mittens) and a hat will prevent loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to
protect your lungs.
- Understand the hazards of wind chill, which
combines the cooling effect of wind and cold temperatures on exposed skin.
- As the wind increases, heat is carried away
from a person's body at an accelerated rated, driving down the body
temperature.
- Walk carefully on snowy, icy, sidewalks.
- After the storm, if you shovel snow, be
extremely careful. It is physically strenuous work, so take frequent breaks.
Avoid overexertion.
- Avoid traveling by car in a storm, but if you
must...
- Carry a Disaster Supplies Kit in the
trunk.
- Keep your car's gas tank full for
emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
- 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.
If You Do Get Stuck...
- Stay with your car. Do not try to walk to
safety.
- Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red)
to the antenna for rescuers to see.
- Start the car and use the heater for about 10
minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won't back up in
the car.
- Leave the overhead light on when the engine is
running so that you can be seen.
- As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to
keep blood circulating and to stay warm.
- Keep one window away from the blowing wind
slightly open to let in air.
For More Information About
Winter Storms and Winter Storm Safety, Your American Red Cross Can Provide the
Following Materials:
- "Are You Ready for a Winter Storm?"
(ARC 4464)
- "Está preparado para una tormenta de
invierno?" (ARC 4464S)
- "Safe Steps for Winter Weather" (ARC
5056)
- "Winter Storms . . . The Deceptive
Killers" (ARC 4467)
- "Surviving the Cold" 16-minute video
($5.03 each) (321709)
Special Winter Storm Safety Material for
Children
- "Be Ready 1-2-3" features a
children's workbook (ARC 5017), Instructor's Manual (ARC 5018),
"How-To" Guide (ARC 5019), and "completion certificate"
(C-814) that involve puppets who give important safety information to
children ages 3-8 about residential fire safety, winter storms, and
earthquakes.
To get copies of American Red Cross Community
Disaster Education materials, contact your
local Red Cross chapter.
Information
contained here supplied by the American Red Cross
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