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Safety Tips Winter Storm Warning Tips There is an increased chance of traffic accidents. Shoveling snow may increase the chance of a heart attack. Hypothermia can develop from prolonged exposure to the cold and can result in death. Worst case scenario—when caught in a winter storm: If you’re outside: Try to stay as dry as possible Cover all exposed parts of the body Find shelter Do not eat snow, it will lower your body temperature. Melt it first. If you’re in car or truck: Stay in your car or truck. Run the motor about ten minutes each hour for heat. Open the window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked. Exercise from time to time by vigorously moving arms, legs, fingers and toes to keep blood circulating and to keep warm. Make yourself visible to rescuers and other motorists: Tie a colored cloth to your antenna. After snow stops falling, raise the hood to indicate trouble. If you are at home or in a building: Stay inside. When using alternative heat (fireplace, wood stove, space heater, etc.) properly ventilate and use fire safeguards. In the event of no heat, close off unneeded rooms and place towels in cracks under doors. Eat, food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat. Drink, keeping the body replenished with fluids will prevent dehydration. Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. Remove layers to avoid overheating, perspiration, and subsequent chill. Extreme cold often accompanies a winter storm or is left in its wake. Prolonged exposure to the cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia and become life threatening. Infants and elderly people are most susceptible. Frostbite: Frostbite is damage to body tissue caused by that tissue being frozen. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately. If you must wait for help, slowly warm affected areas. If the person, however, is also showing signs of hypothermia, warm the body core before the extremities. Hypothermia: Low body temperature Warning signs: uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. Detection: take the person’s temperature. If below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees centigrade), immediately seek medical care. If medical care is not available, begin warming the person slowly. Warm the body core first. If needed, use your own body heat to help. Get the person into dry clothing, and wrap them in a warm blanket covering the head and neck. Do not give the person alcohol, drugs, coffee, or any hot beverage or food; warm broth is better. Do not warm extremities first, this drives the cold blood toward the heart and can lead to heart failure. Dress appropriately before going outdoors The temperature does not have to go below freezing for someone to experience cold emergencies such as hypothermia and frostbite. Wind speed can create dangerously cold conditions even when the temperature is not that low. Dress in layers so you can adjust to changing conditions. Avoid overdressing or overexertion that can lead to heat illness. Most of your body heat is lost through your head so wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears. Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves. Wear waterproof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite by keeping your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow. Get out of wet clothes immediately and warm the core body. To learn more about the signals of and how to care for cold or heat related problems, take a Community First Aid and Safety course from the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Red Cross, (816) 931-8400. Back to Safety Tips American Red Cross Greater Kansas City Chapter 211 W. Armour Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64111 USA         Phone 816-931-8400 Fax 816-531-7306 © 2003-2008 The American Red Cross. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy