What to do During a Winter Storm
What to do During a Winter Storm
Guidelines
Listen to your radio, television, or NOAA Weather Radio for weather reports and emergency information. 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. 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.
If you are outdoors
Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack—a major cause of death in the winter. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside. Cover your mouth. Protect your lungs from extremely cold air by covering your mouth when...
What to do Before a Winter Storm
What to do Before Winter Storms and Extreme Cold Add the following supplies to your disaster supplies kit:
Rock salt to melt ice on walkways Sand to improve traction Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.
Prepare your home and family
Prepare for possible isolation in your home by having sufficient heating fuel; regular fuel sources may be cut off. For example, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove. Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic. Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock or equipment. Clear rain gutters; repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm. Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid...