Cathy Mattingly

The Storm Is Here – What to Do Now

by

In General

  • Listen to the radio or TV or monitor smart phone apps for weather alerts and warnings.
  • Stay inside. Research the signs of frostbite and hypothermia so you can provide treatment if anyone gets stuck outside for any length of time. https://www.cdc.gov/cpr/documents/hypothermia-frostbite_508.pdf  https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PDF_s/Preparedness___Disaster_Recovery/Disaster_Preparedness/Winter_Storm/Frostbite_and_Hypothermia.pdf
  • Bring even outdoor pets inside shelter from the weather and make sure they have fresh water. Animals can get frostbite and hypothermia too.
  • Make sure your horses have access to shelter, water and hay.
  • Check on family members, friends and neighbors, especially the elderly.
  • Remove snow and ice from natural gas meters (use a broom or brush; don’t kick or chip away the ice).
  • Remove snow from dryer vents and other natural gas equipment to prevent a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide gas.
  • Prevent pipes that are on exterior walls from freezing by opening cupboard doors below sinks, and turning on taps often or leaving them running at a trickle. 
  • If your pipes do freeze, try to warm them using hot water and rags or a hair dryer. Do not use a torch, as that creates a serious fire hazard.

Prepare for Power Loss

  • Keep your mobile phones, tablets, laptops, etc., fully charged and have a backup battery ready in case of a power outage. 
  • Locate at least one working flashlight and know where your candles and matches are.
  • If an outage is expected, fill up your tub and spare containers with water. You’ll be happy to have it for drinking, cleaning and flushing the toilet if you have to endure an extended stretch when the faucets don’t work.
  • Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to be sure that they and their batteries are working properly.

If You Lose Power

  • Report the outage to the utility company.
  • Stay warm. Dress in your cold weather clothes and use blankets indoors.
  • If your home is uncomfortably or dangerously cold, don’t risk developing hypothermia by waiting it out – go to a friend’s or relative’s house or a shelter.
  • If you can do so safely, use alternative power sources or a backup generator to heat your home.
  • Help your refrigerator and freezer maintain cold temperatures during a power outage by filling empty space with containers ice. If outdoor temperatures are below freezing, you can freeze several large containers of water at once and keep them cycling in and out of your fridge and freezer.
  • Never use an oven or a gas stovetop to heat your home.
  • Be careful with candles. 

If You Must Shovel, Shovel Safely

One of the hidden dangers of bad weather is heart attack from the strain of shoveling or even walking in heavy snow combined with the way the cold constricts blood vessels. Each year around 100 people in the United States die from shoveling snow and countless more are injured. One cardiologist says he considers shoveling snow to be so dangerous that he advises anyone age 55 and older not to do it at all. If you must shovel:

  • Stretch well and dress warmly.
  • Push the snow instead of lifting it.
  • Only shovel fresh, powdery snow; avoid shoveling wet, compacted snow.
  • If you do lift the snow, use a smaller shovel or only fill a large shovel halfway; lift with your legs, not your back.
  • Take frequent breaks and change your clothes if they get wet
  • Do not work to the point of exhaustion or overexertion.
  • Know the signs of a heart attack and call 911 immediately if you experience these signs.  https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/heart_attack.htm

If You Must Drive

  • Clear snow from the top of your car, windshields, windows and headlights with a scraper and/or brush/broom. 
  • Make sure you have a disaster supply kit in your vehicle with items such as booster cables, shovel to dig out snow around your tires, sand or cat litter to use for traction, flashlight, ice scraper, waterproof boots, gloves, blankets, warm clothing, winter coat, water, energy/protein bars.
  • Drive slowly and carefully. Try to stay on main roads. Keep an eye out for pedestrians who may be walking in the road if they aren’t able to use the sidewalks. 
  • Avoid downed power lines.
  • If you have to be out, make sure to fill up your car’s gas tank to prevent freezing and to ensure you have fuel for any emergency travel needs.
  • Make sure you have your car insurance and the number for AAA or emergency towing. 
  • If you are out and it becomes unsafe to continue to drive, it’s recommended that you stay in the vehicle unless you are sure you can make it safely to shelter on foot. Of course, staying in your vehicle has risks as well, including being struck by another vehicle. If you stay in your vehicle, you can run the engine periodically to stay warm but don’t keep it on too long. You’ll need to conserve fuel and limit any possible exposure to carbon monoxide. To that end, make sure your tailpipe isn’t covered with snow.

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