Be Prepared for Major Winter Storm, Extreme Cold

Dress Warmly and Stay Dry

Dress in layers. 
Wear a hat.

• Be sure the outer layer of your clothing is tightly woven, preferably wind resistant, to reduce body-heat loss caused by wind. Wool, silk, or polypropylene inner layers of clothing will hold more body heat than cotton.

•  Stay dry—wet clothing chills the body rapidly.

•  Excess perspiration will increase heat loss, so remove extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm. 

• Avoid getting gasoline or alcohol on your skin while de-icing and fueling your car or using a snow blower. These materials in contact with the skin greatly increase heat loss from the body.

•  Do not ignore shivering. It’s an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors. 

• Infants less than one year old should never sleep in a cold room because infants lose body heat more easily than adults.

Hypothermia

• When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. 

• Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. 

• Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.

• Hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but it can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.

• Victims of hypothermia are often (1) elderly people with inadequate food, clothing, or heating; (2) babies sleeping in cold bedrooms; (3) people who remain outdoors for long periods—the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.; and (4) people who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs.

Recognizing Hypothermia

Warnings signs of hypothermia:

Adults:

shivering, exhaustion

confusion, fumbling hands

memory loss, slurred speech

drowsiness

Infants:

bright red, cold skin

very low energy

What to Do

If you notice any of these signs, the situation is an emergency — get medical attention immediately.

Be A Good Neighbor

A winter emergency like this is a time for all of us to be good neighbors.

We especially need to look out for the elderly. Older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity.  

Many elderly live alone and have limited mobility…some even have no family close by. They may even have special medical needs so check in on them.

Eat and Drink Wisely

Eating well-balanced meals will help you stay warmer.

Do not drink alcoholic or caffeinated beverages—they cause your body to lose heat more rapidly. Instead, drink warm, sweet beverages or broth to help maintain your body temperature. If you have any dietary restrictions, ask your doctor.

Look Out For Pets

Bring pets inside

When you take pets outside, go with them. Don’t let them go alone.

The city has many community cats -- before starting your car, TAP on the hood.  DON'T HONK HORN! TAP on the Hood!

Cats will seek shelter in engines during cold weather.  So before starting your engines, TAP ON THE HOOD OF YOUR CAR!

Avoid Exertion

If you haven’t exercised or been very physically active, now is not the time to go out and shovel your driveway in a hurry.

Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart.

If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s advice about shoveling snow or performing other hard work in the cold. Otherwise, if you have to do heavy outdoor chores, dress warmly and work slowly. Remember, your body is already working hard just to stay warm, so don’t overdo it.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• If power outages occur, the use of alternative sources of fuel or electricity for heating, cooling, or cooking can cause carbon monoxide to build up in a home, garage, or camper and then poison the people and animals inside.

• Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled. 

• Every home should have at least one working carbon monoxide detector. The detector’s batteries should be checked twice annually, at the same time smoke detector batteries are checked. 

• Never use a gas range or oven to heat a home. 

• Never run a generator or any gasoline-powered engine inside a basement, garage, or other enclosed structure, even if the doors or windows are open, unless the equipment is professionally installed and vented. 

• Never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage.

Exposure to CO can cause loss of consciousness and death. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. People who are sleeping or who have been drinking alcohol can die from CO poisoning before ever having symptoms.