Winter Weather Safety Rules!
How to stay safe this winter!
1. Dressing for cold weather:
-
Wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight clothing.
-
Wear mittens instead of gloves. Wear a hat.
-
Remember that entrapped, insulating air, warmed by body
heat is the best protection from the cold.
2. Avoid Overexertion: The strain from cold temperatures and
heavy labor such as shoveling, pushing a car, or walking in deep snow may cause
a heart attack in older and less physically fit individuals.
3. Winterize Your Vehicle Early: Be prepared against the first blast of
winter. Avoid automobile gas line freeze ups by keeping your tank greater
than half full at all times.
-
Make sure that your car has adequate antifreeze.
-
Make sure that your tires have good traction and are inflated
to the right pressure.
-
Make sure that your heater and defroster work properly.
-
Make sure that your battery is not more than 3 years old
and that it can carry a full charge.
-
Make sure that you have a good ice scraper.
4. Carry a Winter-Survival Safety Kit in your vehicle:
-
Bring along blankets and a bright piece of cloth to tie
on your antenna if you become stranded.
-
Flashlight with spare batteries.
-
Extra change of clothing to keep dry.
-
Non-perishable foods such as candy bars, canned goods, or
high calorie food like Power Bars.
-
A can and waterproof matches (used to melt snow for drinking
water).
-
A compass, shovel and sand, tow rope, and jumper cables.
5. Before traveling:
Check the latest road conditions before you head out into Winter
weather.
Let someone know where you are going and when you think you will reach your
destination.
6. If you become stranded in your vehicle during a Winter storm:
-
Stay in your car, truck, or minivan.
-
Run the engine at 10 minute intervals for heat.
-
Maintain proper ventilation by making sure the exhaust pipe
is not plugged.
-
Leave the windows open slightly to avoid carbon monoxide
poisoning.
- Make yourself visible to rescuers. Tie a bright cloth to your antenna or
door handle.
- Turn on the dome light at night, but only when running the engine.
7. At home, do the following before Winter becomes a reality:
-
Have your furnace checked before you need to use it.
-
Seal any windows that you suspect allow cold air into the
house with caulking or plastic.
-
Include a home safety kit that includes extra non-perishable
food, medicine, and a battery operated radio.
-
Keep a flashlight and extra batteries handy.
-
Keep candles and matches handy for extended periods of electrical
loss.
8. If you lose heat in your home:
-
Seal off any unused rooms by stuffing towels or rags in
the cracks under the door.
-
Cover the windows with blankets or sheets at night if you
have some extras available.
-
Use only devices that are designed for heating indoors during
as emergency heat source and handle all safety precautions.
9. Install and test smoke alarms in your home:
Have fire extinguishers checked to combat an accidental fire
due to the use of alternative heat sources.
Feel free to print this out and keep it handy
all winter long!