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[ Emergency Food and Water Supplies ] [ Winter Storm Safety ] [ Terms for Winter Weather ] [ Animal Safety ] [ Terrorism ]
Winter Storm Safety 
Prepare
a Winter Storm Plan
- Have extra blankets on hand.
- Ensure that each member of your
household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water-resistant
boots.
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Containing
- First aid kit and essential
medications.
- Battery-powered NOAA Weather
radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
- Canned food and can opener.
- Bottled water (at least one
gallon of water per person per day to last at least 3 days).
- Extra warm clothing, including
boots, mittens, and a hat.
- Assemble a Disaster Supplies
Kit for your car, too.
- Have your car winterized before
winter storm season.
Stay
Tuned for Storm Warnings. . .
- Listen to NOAA
Weather Radio (162.550 MHZ) and your local radio and TV stations
for updated storm information.
Know
What Winter Storm WATCHES and WARNINGS Mean
- A winter storm WATCH
means a winter storm is possible in your area.
- A winter storm WARNING
means a winter storm is headed for your area.
- A blizzard WARNING means
strong winds, blinding wind-driven snow, and dangerous wind chill are
expected. Seek shelter immediately!
When a
Winter Storm WATCH is Issued...
- Listen to NOAA Weather
Radio(162.550 MHZ), local radio, and TV stations, or cable TV 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.
- Understand the hazards of wind
chill, which combines the cooling effect of wind and cold temperatures on
exposed skin.
- As the wind increases, heat is
carried away from a person's body at an accelerated rated, driving down the
body temperature.
- Walk carefully on snowy, icy,
sidewalks.
- After the storm, if you shovel
snow, be extremely careful. It is physically strenuous work, so take
frequent breaks. Avoid overexertion.
- Avoid traveling by car in a
storm, but if you must...
- Carry
a Disaster
Supplies 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.
If
You Do Get Stuck... 
- Stay with your car. Do not try
to walk to safety.
- Tie a brightly colored cloth
(preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see.
- Start the car and use the
heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes
won't back up in the car.
- Leave the overhead light on
when the engine is running so that you can be seen.
- As you sit, keep moving your
arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to stay warm.
- Keep one window away from the
blowing wind slightly open to let in air.
Your
Local Red Cross Chapter Can Provide Additional Materials in English and Spanish:
Materials
for Children:
- "Be
Ready 1-2-3" involve puppets who give important safety information
to children ages 3-8 about residential fire safety, winter storms, and
earthquakes.
- "Disaster
Preparedness Coloring Book" (PDF File)
(ARC 2200, English, or Spanish)
for use by children 3-10.
- "Adventures of the
Disaster Dudes" (ARC 5024) video and Presenter's Guide for use by an
adult with children in grades 4-6.
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