1. Tune into the radio or television to listen to weather news and emergency information.
2. Consume food regularly and drink plenty of fluids, but avoid caffeine and alcohol.
3. Wear clothes appropriate for the season:
o Wear several layers of loose, light and warm clothes instead of a single layer of heavy clothes. Coats must be made of tight knit and impermeable fabric.
o Mittens are warmer than gloves.
o Wear a cap; most body heat is lost through the head.
o Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect the lungs.
4. Be careful when shoveling snow. Excess effort may cause a stroke, a main cause of death during the winter. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside and do not strain yourself.
5. Observe any sign of frost bite: loss of sensation and pale appearance of the limbs, such as the fingers or toes, earlobes or the tip of the nose. If you detect these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
6. Observe any sign of hypothermia: Uncontrollable chills, memory loss, confusion, incoherency, indistinct pronunciation, somnolence and apparent fatigue. If hypothermia symptoms are detected, take the victim to a warm place, remove the wet clothes, heat the core of the body first and provide hot beverages, if the victim is conscious. Procure medical attention as soon as possible.
7. If you are at home:
o Keep fuel if it is necessary keeping your residence cooler than usual. Shut off heating temporarily in some rooms.
o When using kerosene heaters, keep ventilation to avoid accumulation of toxic fumes. Refill kerosene heaters outside and move them least three feet away from flammable objects.
8. 70 percent of deaths during winter related to snow and ice take place in the cars.
Prepare your Home and Family
Prepare for isolation in your home having enough heating fuel, since regular fuel sources can be interrupted. E.g. store a large amount of dry equipment, wood for chimneys or wood stove.Prepare your home for the winter and extend your fuel supply’s duration, insulating walls and attics and cover the cracks. Install shutters or cover the windows with plastic.
Prepare your home, stable, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, cattle or winter equipment. Clean the gutters, repair roof filtrations, trim tree branches and other structures during the storm that may fall in the house.
Insulate pipelines with insulation or newspapers and plastic. Allow taps to leak a Little during the cold weather to avoid freezing.
Keep fire extinguishers handy and make sure your family knows how to use it. Houses have an additional risk to fires, since a larger number people use alternative sources of heating without taking necessary safety cautions.
Learn to put out water valves (in case a pipe causes problems).
Know what to do beforehand to help elderly people or handicapped friends, neighbors or employees.
Hire a contractor to prove the roof’s structural capacity and ensure it can support the unusual accumulation of snow or water. Verify that gutters of flat ceilings work appropriately.
Prepare your Car
Verify or inspect your car:
Antifreeze levels – ensure it is enough to avoid freezing.
Battery and ignition system – must be in optimal condition and battery terminals should be clean.
Breaks – review the wear and liquid.
Exhaust – verify pipe leaks and replace if necessary. Carbon monoxide is deadly and usually gives no warning.
Fuel and air filters – place and keep water out of the system through the use of additives and keep the fuel tank fuel.
Heating and Defrosting – ensure they operate correctly.
Lights and intermittent danger lights – verify their operation.
Oil – verify level and weight. Heavy oils are more prone to freezing in low temperatures and don’t lubricate.
Thermostats – ensure it operates correctly.
Windshield cleaners—repair any problem and keep the level of liquid to clean.
Install good winter tires. Ensure that the tires have the appropriate rotation. Most of the tires are usually enough for most winter conditions. However, some jurisdictions require that in order to drive through their roads vehicles must be equipped with chains or snow tires with nails.
1. Keep at least half of the gas tank during the winter season.
2. Place winter emergency gear in each vehicle, that includes:
o A shovel
o Windshield scraper and small broom
o flashlight
o Radio batteries
o Extra batteries
o water
o sweets
o matches
o Hats, gloves and socks
o First aid kit with a knife
o Essential medication
o Blanket (s)
o Towing trailer or a rope
o Road salt and sand
o Jump cables
o Emergency flares
o Fluorescent flag
Driving during the winter
1. 70 percent of deaths during winter related to snow and ice take place in the cars. If you must travel, consider using public transportation. If you travel by car, travel during the day, don’t travel alone and keep others informed about your itinerary. Stay in main roads; avoid short cuts through secondary roads.
2. Prepare your car during the winter. This includes inspecting the battery, antifreeze, windshield cleaner, windshield cleaner, ignition system, thermostat, lights, intermittent lights, exhaust system, heating, breaks, defrost, oil level and tires. Consider installing snow tires or chains. Keep your gas tank full.
3. Take a “car winter gear pack” in the trunk of your car.
This gear must include:
o Shovel
o Windshield scraper
o Battery operated radio
o Flashlight
o Extra batteries
o Sweets or salty snacks
o Mittens
o Cap
o Blanket
o Towing chain or rope
o Tire chains
o Bag of road salt and sand
o Fluorescent flag
o Jump cables
o Road maps
o Emergency flares
4. Cell phone or two way radio, if available
5. If you are trapped in your car during a blizzard:
6. Get off the road. Activate intermittent lights and hang an SOS flag on the radio antenna or window.
7. Stay inside your vehicle where the rescue team are more likely to find you. Don’t go out on foot unless you can see a building nearby where you are certain you can take shelter. Be careful: Distances may become distorted with the blowing wind. A building may appear to be near, but could be too far away to walk on deep snow.
8. Start and operate the engine and heating for ten minutes every hour to keep warm. When the engine is running, crack a window slightly for ventilation. This will protect you from a possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Periodically clear the snow from the exhaust tube.
9. Exercise to conserve body heat, but avoid straining yourself. In cold weather, use road maps, the seat covers and carpets as insulation. Stay close to other passengers and use your coat as a blanket.
10. Take turns sleeping. One person must be awake at all moments to look out for rescue squads.
11. Drink liquids to avoid dehydration.
12. Be careful of not wearing the battery. Balance the electrical needs – the use of lights, heating and radios – with the supply.
13. At night, turn on the internal light so working or rescue squads can see you.
14. If you are stranded in a remote area, extend a large piece of fabric on the snow to attract the attention of the rescue staff examining the area from a plane.
15. Once the blizzard has passes, you must get off your vehicle and proceed on foot.
