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Home , Freeze warning, Winter storm

46 ARE YOU READY? ARE YOU READY? 47

coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees and power lines. • Sleet— that turns to before reaching the ground. Sleet and also causes roads to freeze and be- come slippery. Extreme Cold • Winter Watch—A is possible in your area. • Winter —A winter storm is occurring, or will soon oc- cur in your area. • Warning—Sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 miles- per-hour or greater and considerable falling or blowing (reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile) are expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer. • Frost/—Below freezing are expected.

2. Prepare to survive on your own for at least three days. Assemble a disaster supply kit. Be sure to include win- ter specific items such as rock salt to melt ice on walkways, sand to improve eavy snowfall and extreme cold can traction, snow shovels and other snow immobilize an entire region. Even removal equipment. Keep a stock of Hareas that normally experience mild food and extra drinking water. See can be hit with a major snowstorm the “Emergency Planning and Disaster or extreme cold. The impacts include Supplies” and “Evacuation” chapters flooding, , closed highways, for more information. blocked roads, downed power lines and 3. Prepare for possible isolation in your . home: You can protect yourself and your house- • Have sufficient heating fuel; regular hold from the many hazards of winter by fuel sources may be cut off. planning ahead. • Have emergency heating equipment and fuel (a gas fireplace or a wood What to do before a burning stove or fireplace) so you can keep at least one room of your winter storm threatens residence livable. (Be sure the room 1. Know the terms used by is well ventilated.) If a thermostat forecasters: controls your furnace and your elec- • —Rain that freezes tricity is cut off by a storm, you will when it hits the ground, creating a need emergency heat.

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY 46 ARE YOU READY? ARE YOU READY? 47

• Kerosene heaters are another emer- 4. Be careful when shoveling snow. gency heating option. Over-exertion can bring on a heart • Store a good supply of dry, seasoned attack—a major cause of death in wood for your fireplace or wood- the winter. If you must shovel snow, burning stove. stretch before going outside and don’t overexert yourself. • Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure your household knows 5. Watch for signs of frostbite: loss of how to use them. feeling and white or pale appearance • Never burn charcoal indoors. in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symp- 4. Winterize your home to extend the life toms are detected, get medical help of your fuel supply. immediately

• Insulate walls and attics. 6. Watch for signs of hypo- • Caulk and weather-strip thermia: uncontrollable doors and windows. Be careful when shivering, memory loss, • Install storm windows shoveling snow. disorientation, incoherence, or cover windows with Overexertion slurred speech, drowsiness plastic. and apparent exhaustion. If can bring symptoms of hypothermia 5. Maintain several days’ on a heart are detected, get the victim supply of medicines, wa- attack. Stretch to a warm location, remove ter, and food that needs no before going any wet clothing, warm the cooking or refrigeration. outside and center of the body first, and don’t overexert give warm, non-alcoholic yourself. beverages if the victim is con- What to do during a scious. Get medical help as winter storm soon as possible. 7. When at home: 1. Listen to the radio or television for weather reports and emergency infor- • Conserve fuel if necessary by keep- mation. ing your residence cooler than nor- mal. Temporarily “close off” heat to 2. Eat regularly and drink ample fluids, some rooms. but avoid caffeine and alcohol. • When using kerosene heaters, 3. Dress for the : maintain ventilation to avoid build- up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene • Wear several layers of loose fitting, heaters outside and keep them at lightweight, warm clothing rather least three feet from flammable than one layer of heavy clothing. objects. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. • Mittens are warmer than gloves. Winter driving • Wear a hat; most body heat is lost About 70 percent of winter deaths related through the top of the head. to snow and ice occur in automobiles. • Cover your mouth with a scarf to Consider public transportation if you must protect your lungs. travel. If you travel by car, travel in the

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY 48 ARE YOU READY? ARE YOU READY? 49 day, don’t travel alone, and keep others Do not set out on foot unless you informed of your schedule. Stay on main can see a building close by where roads; avoid back-road shortcuts. you know you can take shelter. Be careful: distances are distorted by 1. Winterize your car. This includes blowing snow. A building may seem a battery check, antifreeze, wipers close but be too far to walk to in and windshield washer fluid, ignition deep snow. system, thermostat, lights, flashing hazard lights, exhaust system, heater, • Run the engine and heater about ten brakes, defroster, oil level, and tires. minutes each hour to keep warm. Consider snow tires, snow tires with When the engine is running, open a studs, or chains. Keep your car’s gas window slightly for ventilation. This tank full. will protect you from possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Periodically 2. Carry a “winter car kit” in clear snow from the exhaust the trunk of your car. The pipe. kit should include: About 70% of • Exercise to maintain body • Shovel winter deaths heat, but avoid overexertion. • Windshield scraper related to snow In extreme cold, use road • Battery-powered radio maps, seat covers and floor and ice occur mats for insulation. Huddle • Flashlight in automobiles. with passengers and use your • Extra batteries Travel by car in coat for a blanket. • Water daylight, don’t • Take turns sleeping. One • Snack food travel alone, keep person should be awake at all • Mittens others notified times to look for rescue crews. • Hat of your schedule • Drink fluids to avoid • Blanket and stay on main dehydration. • Tow chain or rope roads – avoid • Be careful not to waste bat- tery power. Balance electri- • Tire chains back-road short cuts. cal energy needs—the use of • Bag of road salt and lights, heat and radio—with sand supply. • Fluorescent distress flag • At night, turn on the inside light so • Booster cables work crews or rescuers can see you. • Road maps • If stranded in a remote area, spread • Emergency flares a large cloth over the snow to • Cellular telephone or two-way radio, attract attention of rescue personnel if available. who may be surveying the area by airplane. 3. If a blizzard traps you in your car: • Once the blizzard passes, you may • Pull off the highway. Turn on haz- need to leave the car and proceed ard lights and hang a distress flag on foot. from the radio aerial or window. • Remain in your vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find you.

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY