If you get stuck at home or work
What to have on-hand:
Things to think about:
- Properly ventilate heating sources to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
- To avoid freezing pipes, let your taps drip
- Don't drink alcohol in the cold, it dissipatesbody heat
- Find source for community weather warnings; check FEMA's Web directory
If the power goes out:
- After four hours, some food in your fridge may not be safe to eat
- Check CDC guidelines, keep your fridge doors closed
- What to salvage when power returns? The USDA has some suggestions
- Layer clothes to keep warm
How to survive in your car
What to have on hand:
- Phone charger
- Blanket or sleeping bag
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- First-aid kit
- Knife
- Non-perishable food
- Water
- Extra clothes and shoes
- Paper towels
- Flares and/or brightly colored fabric
- Sand or kitty litter
- Shovel
- Jumper cables
- Windshield scraper
- A compass
- A whistle
- Waterproof matches and a can to melt snow
What else to think about:
- Fill your gas tank up ahead of time
- If you have to drive during a storm, let someone know your ETA and route
- Dress for the weather in case you get stranded
- Think you're at risk of frostbite or hypothermia? Check symptoms and find out what to do here
If you get stranded:
- Stay in your vehicle
- Run the motor for 10 minutes an hour to warm up
- Make sure your exhaust pipe isn't blocked by snow or ice
- Stay visible, so rescuers can find you
- You can drink snow if you need to, but you should boil it first
- For more safety ideas, check out NOAA's guide here
Don't forget your pets
- Move your animals into shelter, preferably indoors
- Have extra food and water, use plastic bowls -- not metal -- outside in freezing temperatures
- Your furry friends can get frostbite and hypothermia, too: Protect their exposed skin
- If your furry friend gets salt on his/her paws, wipe them off with a damp towel
- Get more great tips from The Humane Society of the United States here
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