Preparedness for home

• Make sure your home has smoke detectors, carbon monoxide
• detectors and fire extinguishers in working order.
  
• Make sure you have extra blankets, as well as a warm coat, gloves, hat and water-resistant boots for each member of your family.
  
• Maintain a winter storm home survival kit containing:
  - A first aid kit and prescription medications
  - Battery-powered NOAA weather radio and transistor radio
  - Flashlight with extra batteries
  - Canned food and nonelectric can opener
  - A five-day supply of bottled water
  
• Insulate the water pipes most susceptible to freezing—those in exterior walls, attics and crawl spaces—using home insulation material or UL-approved heat tape. Seal any visible air leaks in exterior walls where pipes are located.
  
• If you have a wood-burning fireplace, stock an ample supply of wood where it may be retrieved easily in the event of a storm.
  
• If you own a camp stove or kerosene heater, make sure you safely store an ample supply of fuel.

When winter storms or blizzards arise

• Remain indoors. If you must go outside, wear multiple layers of lightweight clothing rather than a single heavy coat. Prevent the escape of body heat from your head and hands with appropriate hats and gloves, and cover your mouth to protect your lungs.
  
• Wear layers of loose-fitting clothing indoors, as well, removing layers to avoid overheating and perspiration. Eat to supply body heat and drink water to avoid dehydration.
  
• Understand the hazards of wind chill (see chart that follows).
  
• Conserve fuel, if necessary, by keeping your house cooler than
  normal and temporarily closing off heat to some rooms.
  
• Place blankets over windows at night, but allow sunshine to enter during the daytime. Insulate cracks around doors with rugs, newspapers, towels, etc.
  
• When using camp stoves, kerosene heaters or wood-burning fireplaces, make sure you have adequate ventilation to avoid the buildup of toxic fumes indoors. Refuel stoves and heaters outside only.
  
• To protect pipes, let hot and cold water trickle from all faucets, indoors or out, and make sure all family members know how to shut off water in the event a pipe bursts.

Travel precautions

• Transportation accidents are the leading cause of death during winter storms. Plan ahead and know how to react if you find yourself lost or stranded on the road.
  
• Maintain winter car kits for all of your vehicles. A winter car kit should contain the following:
  ❏ Flashlights with extra batteries
  ❏ First aid kit & prescription medications
  ❏ Blankets & sleeping bags
  ❏ Extra newspapers for insulation
  ❏ Plastic bags (for sanitation)
  ❏ Matches
  ❏ Extra set of mittens, socks & a wool cap
  ❏ Rain gear & extra clothes
  ❏ Small bag of sand for generating traction under wheels
  ❏ Small shovel
  ❏ Small tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)
  ❏ Set of tire chains or traction mats
  ❏ Cards, games, puzzles
  ❏ Brightly colored cloth to use as a flag
  ❏ Canned food & nonelectric can opener
  ❏ Bottled water
  
• Before long-distance winter travel, have a mechanic check your battery, antifreeze, wipers and washer fluid, ignition, thermostat, exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster and oil level.
• Install good winter tires and keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal.
  
• Plan long trips carefully. Listen to the radio or call the state highway patrol for the latest road conditions.
  
• Always travel during daylight; take at least one person along with you, if possible.
  
• Always notify a friend or relative of your destination, route and expected arrival time so that help can be sent if necessary.

If you find yourself stranded

• Stay with your car. Do not leave to search for help.
  
• Hang a brightly colored cloth to the antenna and raise the hood.
  
• Occasionally, run the engine to keep warm, about 10 minutes every hour, but be sure that exhaust pipes are clear.
  
• Turn on the car’s dome light when the engine is running so you can be seen.
  
• As you sit, move your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to stay warm.

Driving Safety

• Always clean frost and snow off the windows, mirrors, lights and reflectors.
  
• Carry plenty of windshield washer fluid.
  
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid a gas line freeze.
  
• Remember that bridges and overpasses can be more slippery than other parts of the road.
  
• Maintain greater than normal distance between you and the car ahead, and remember that ice and snow demand greater stopping distance.

The information provided herein is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties whatsoever, either express or implied.