Winter storms and cold temperatures can be
dangerous. Stay safe and healthy by planning ahead. Prepare your home and cars.
Prepare for power outages and outdoor activity. Check on older adults.
Although winter comes as no surprise, many of us
are not ready for its arrival. If you are prepared for the hazards of winter,
you will be more likely to stay safe and healthy when temperatures start to
fall.
Take These Steps for Your Home
Many people prefer to remain indoors during
winter, but staying inside is no guarantee of safety. Take these steps to keep
your home safe and warm during the winter months.
·
Winterize your home.
·
Install weather
stripping, insulation, and storm windows.
·
Insulate water lines
that run along exterior walls.
·
Clean out gutters and
repair roof leaks.
·
Check your heating
systems.
o
Have your heating system
serviced professionally to make sure that it is clean, working properly, and
ventilated to the outside.
o
Inspect and clean
fireplaces and chimneys.
o
Install a smoke
detector. Test batteries monthly and replace them twice a year.
o
Have a safe alternate
heating source and alternate fuels available.
o
Prevent carbon monoxide
(CO) emergencies.
§
Install a CO detector to
alert you of the presence of the deadly, odorless, colorless gas. Check
batteries when you change your clocks in the fall and spring.
§
Learn symptoms of CO
poisoning: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain,
and confusion.
·
Get your car ready for
cold weather use before winter arrives.
Don’t Forget to Prepare Your Car
Get your car ready for cold weather use before
winter arrives.
·
Service the radiator and
maintain antifreeze level; check tire tread or, if necessary, replace tires
with all-weather or snow tires.
·
Keep gas tank full to
avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
·
Use a wintertime formula
in your windshield washer.
·
Prepare a winter
emergency kit to keep in your car in case you become stranded. The kit should
include:
§
cell phone, portable
charger, and extra batteries;
§
blankets;
§
food and water;
§
booster cables, flares,
tire pump, and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction);
§
compass and maps;
§
flashlight,
battery-powered radio, and extra batteries;
§
first-aid kit; and
§
plastic bags (for
sanitation).
Equip in Advance for Emergencies
Be prepared for weather-related emergencies,
including power outages.
·
Stock food that needs no
cooking or refrigeration and water stored in clean containers.
·
Ensure that your cell
phone is fully charged.
·
When planning travel, be
aware of current and forecast weather conditions.
·
Keep an up-to-date
emergency kit, including:
·
Battery-operated
devices, such as a flashlight, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, and lamps;
·
extra batteries;
·
first-aid kit and extra
medicine;
·
baby items; and
·
cat litter or sand for
icy walkways.
·
Protect your family from
carbon monoxide.
·
Keep grills, camp
stoves, and generators out of the house, basement and garage.
·
Locate generators at
least 20 feet from the house.
·
Leave your home
immediately if the CO detector sounds, and call 911.
Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: layers of
light, warm clothing; windproof coat, mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof
boots.
Take These Precautions Outdoors
Many people spend time outdoors in the winter
working, traveling, or enjoying winter sports. Outdoor activities can expose
you to several safety hazards, but you can take these steps to prepare for
them:
·
Wear appropriate outdoor
clothing: wear a tightly woven, preferably wind-resistant coat or jacket; inner
layers of light, warm clothing; mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots.
·
Sprinkle cat litter or
sand on icy patches.
·
Learn safety precautions
to follow when outdoors.
·
Work slowly when doing
outside chores.
·
Take a buddy and an
emergency kit when you are participating in outdoor recreation.
·
Carry a cell phone.
Be prepared to check on family and neighbors who
are especially at risk from cold weather hazards.
Do This When You Plan to Travel
When planning travel, be aware of current and
forecast weather conditions.
·
Avoid traveling when the
weather service has issued advisories.
·
If you must travel,
inform a friend or relative of your proposed route and expected time of
arrival.
·
Follow these safety
rules if you become stranded in your car.
·
Make your car visible to
rescuers. Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna, raise the hood of the
car (if it is not snowing), and turn on the inside overhead lights (when your
engine is running).
·
Move anything you need
from the trunk into the passenger area. Stay with your car unless safety is no
more than 100 yards away.
·
Keep your body warm.
Wrap your entire body, including your head, in extra clothing, blankets, or
newspapers. Huddle with other people if you can.
·
Stay awake and stay
moving. You will be less vulnerable to cold-related health problems. As you
sit, keep moving your arms and legs to improve circulation and stay warmer.
·
Run the motor (and
heater) for about 10 minutes per hour, opening one window slightly to let in
air. Make sure that snow is not blocking the exhaust pipe—this will reduce the
risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Above all, be ready to check on family and
neighbors who are especially at risk from cold weather hazards: young children,
older adults, and the chronically ill. If you have pets, bring them inside. If
you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate, warm shelter and unfrozen water
to drink.
No one can stop the onset of winter. However, if
you follow these suggestions, you will be ready for it when it comes.
Be sure to visit CDC’s Winter
Weather webpage for more winter weather safety tips.
Page last reviewed: February 4, 2019
Content source: National Center for
Environmental Health
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