Winter
Weather and Extreme Cold
While
the danger from winter weather varies across
the country, nearly all Americans,
regardless of where they live, are likely to
face some type of severe winter weather at
some point in their lives. That could mean
snow or subfreezing temperatures, as well as
strong winds or even ice or heavy rain
storms. One of the primary concerns is the
winter weather's ability to knock
out heat, power and communications services
to your home or office, sometimes for days
at a time. The National Weather Service
refers to winter storms as the “Deceptive
Killers” because most deaths are
indirectly related to the storm. Instead,
people die in traffic accidents on icy roads
and of hypothermia from prolonged exposure
to cold. It is important to be prepared for
winter weather before it strikes.
Step 1:
Get a Kit
- Get an Emergency
Supply Kit which includes items like
non-perishable food, water, a
battery-powered or hand-crank radio,
extra flashlights and batteries.
- Thoroughly
check and update your family's Emergency
Supply Kit before winter approaches
and add the following supplies in
preparation for winter weather:
- Rock
salt to melt ice on
walkways
- Sand
to improve traction
- Snow
shovels and other snow
removal equipment.
- Also
include adequate clothing
and blankets to keep you
warm.
Step 2:
Make a Plan
Prepare
Your Family
- Make a Family
Emergency Plan. Your family may not
be together when disaster strikes, so it
is important to know how you will
contact one another, how you will get
back together and what you will do in
case of an emergency.
- Plan
places where your family will meet, both
within and outside of your immediate
neighborhood.
- It may
be easier to make a long-distance phone
call than to call across town, so an
out-of-town contact may be in a better
position to communicate among separated
family members.
- You may
also want to inquire about emergency
plans at places where your family spends
time: work, daycare and school. If no
plans exist, consider volunteering to
help create one.
- Take a
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
class from your local Citizen
Corps chapter. Keep your training
current.
Step 3: Be
Informed
Prepare
Your Home
- Make
sure your home is well insulated and
that you have weather stripping around
your doors and windowsills to keep the
warm air inside.
- Insulate
pipes with insulation or newspapers and
plastic and allow faucets to drip a
little during cold weather to avoid
freezing.
- Learn
how to shut off water valves (in case a
pipe bursts).
- Keep
fire extinguishers on hand, and make
sure everyone in your house knows how to
use them. House fires pose an additional
risk as more people turn to alternate
heating sources without taking the
necessary safety precautions.
- Know
ahead of time what you should do to help
elderly or disabled friends, neighbors
or employees.
- Hire a
contractor to check the structural
stability of the roof to sustain
unusually heavy weight from the
accumulation of snow - or water, if
drains on flat roofs do not work.
- If you
have a car, fill the gas tank in case
you have to leave. In addition, check or
have a mechanic check the following
items on your car:
- Antifreeze
levels - ensure they are sufficient
to avoid freezing.
- Battery
and ignition system - should be in
top condition and battery terminals
should be clean.
- Brakes
- check for wear and fluid levels.
- Exhaust
system - check for leaks and crimped
pipes and repair or replace as
necessary. Carbon monoxide
is deadly and usually gives no
warning.
- Fuel
and air filters - replace and keep
water out of the system by using
additives and maintaining a full
tank of gas.
- Heater
and defroster - ensure they work
properly.
- Lights
and flashing hazard lights - check
for serviceability.
- Oil
- check for level and weight.
Heavier oils congeal more at low
temperatures and do not lubricate as
well.
- Thermostat
- ensure it works properly.
- Tires
- make sure the tires have adequate
tread. All-weather radials are
usually adequate for most winter
conditions. However, some
jurisdictions require that to drive
on their roads, vehicles must be
equipped with chains or snow tires
with studs.
- Windshield
wiper equipment - repair any
problems and maintain proper washer
fluid level.
Familiarize
yourself with the terms that are used to
identify winter weather
- Freezing
Rain creates a coating of ice
on roads and walkways.
- Sleet
is rain that turns to ice pellets before
reaching the ground. Sleet also causes
roads to freeze and become slippery.
- Winter
Weather Advisory means cold,
ice and snow are expected.
- Winter
Storm Watch means severe
weather such as heavy snow or ice is
possible in the next day or two.
- Winter
Storm Warning means severe
winter conditions have begun or will
begin very soon.
- Blizzard
Warning means heavy snow and
strong winds will produce a blinding
snow, near zero visibility, deep drifts
and life-threatening wind chill.
- Frost/Freeze
Warning means below freezing
temperatures are expected.
- When a Winter
Storm WATCH is issued
- Listen
to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio,
and television stations, or cable
television 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.
- Walk
carefully on snowy, icy, walkways.
- If
the pipes freeze, remove any
insulation or layers of newspapers
and wrap pipes in rags. Completely
open all faucets and pour hot water
over the pipes, starting where they
were most exposed to the cold (or
where the cold was most likely to
penetrate).
- Maintain
ventilation when using kerosene
heaters to avoid build-up of toxic
fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters
outside and keep them at least three
feet from flammable objects.
- Avoid
traveling by car in a storm, but if
you must...
- Carry
an Emergency Supply 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.
- Eat
regularly and drink ample
fluids, but avoid caffeine and
alcohol.
- Conserve
fuel, if necessary, by keeping
your residence cooler than
normal. Temporarily close off
heat to some rooms.
Listen
to Local Officials
Learn about the emergency plans that have
been established in your area by your state
and local government. In any emergency,
always listen to the instructions given by
local emergency management officials. For
further information on how to plan and
prepare for winter storms as well as what to
do during and after a winter storm, visit: Federal
Emergency Management Agency, NOAA
Watch, or American
Red Cross.
Taken from www.ready.gov
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