|
Winter
Storms
Here is advice that will help protect you and your
family against the hazards of winter storms/ blizzards, heavy snows, ice
storms, freezing rain and/or sleet.
Keep Posted on Weather Conditions.
Use your radio, television, and newspapers to keep
informed of current weather conditions and forecasts in your area. Even
with a few hours warning you may be able to avoid being caught in it, or
at least be better prepared to cope with it. You should also understand
the terms commonly used in weather forecasts:
* A Blizzard is the most dangerous of all
winter storms. It combines cold air, heavy snow, and strong winds. These
strong winds will cause considerable blowing snow, which may reduce
visibility to only a few yards. A Blizzard Warning is issued when the
National Weather Service expects considerable snow, temperatures below
freezing, and winds of 35 miles per hour or more.
* A Winter Storm Warning for the lower
elevations of Colorado usually means an expected snowfall of 6 inches or
more in a 12-hour period, or 8 inches or more in a 24-hour period. A
Heavy Snow Warning or Winter Storm Warning for the MOUNTAINS means an
expected snowfall of 8 inches or more in a 12-hour period.
* Freezing Rain or Freezing Drizzle occurs
when rain is likely to freeze on the ground, depositing a coating of ice
or glaze on roads and everything that is exposed. If a substantial layer
of ice is expected to accumulate from the freezing rain, a Winter Storm
Warning is issued addressing the problems expected to be caused by the
accumulation of ice.
Be
Prepared for Isolation at Home in a Winter Storm
* Stock an emergency supply of food and water, as
well as emergency cooking equipment such as a camp stove. Some of this
food should be of the type that does not require refrigeration or
cooking.
* Make sure you have a battery-operated radio and
extra batteries on hand so that if your electric power is cut off you
can still hear weather forecasts, information, and advice broadcast by
local authorities. Also, flashlights and lanterns will be needed.
Portable propane-type heaters could prove valuable in these types of
situations, but use with proper precautions.
* Keep on hand the simple tools and equipment
needed to fight a fire. Also, be certain that all family members know
how to take precautions that would prevent fire at such a time, when the
help of the fire department might not be available immediately.
In a Winter Storm, Travel Only If Necessary.
Avoid all unnecessary trips. If you must travel,
use public transportation if possible. However, if you are forced to use
your automobile for a trip of any distance, take these precautions:
Dress for the Season. If you spend a lot of
time outdoors, wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing
rather than a single layer of thick clothing. Mittens are warmer than
gloves. Use a stocking cap to protect your head and a facemask that
covers your mouth to protect your lungs from extremely cold air.
(continued on other side)
Winter
Storms (continued)
* Make sure your car is in good condition, properly
serviced, and equipped with chains or snow tires.
* Take another person with you if possible.
* Make sure someone knows where you are going, your
approximate schedule, and your estimated time of arrival at your
destination.
* If you see downed power lines - KEEP AWAY.
* It is recommended that you have a full tank of
gasoline in your vehicle, along with emergency winter storm supplies,
such as a container of sand, shovel, windshield scraper, tow chain or
rope, and flashlight. It is also good to have heavy gloves or mittens,
overshoes, extra woolen socks, winter headgear to cover your head and
face, battery-operated radio and food.
* Travel by daylight and use major highways if you
can. Keep the vehicle radio tuned for weather information and advice.
* Drive with caution. Don't try to save time by
traveling faster than weather conditions permit. Stay off closed roads.
* Don't be daring or foolhardy. Stop, turn back, or
seek help if conditions exist that may test your ability or endurance,
rather than risk being stalled, lost, or isolated. Don't risk becoming
stranded in a BLIZZARD.
Keep Calm If You Get in Trouble. If your
vehicle breaks down during a storm or if you become stalled or lost,
don't panic. Think the problem through, decide what's the safest thing
to do, and do it slowly and carefully. If you are on a well-traveled
road, show a trouble (flasher) signal. Set your directional lights to
flashing, raise the hood of your vehicle, or hang a cloth from the radio
antenna or vehicle window. Then stay in your vehicle and wait for help
to arrive. If you run the engine to keep warm, remember to open a window
enough to provide ventilation and make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of
snow to protect you from carbon monoxide poisoning. Run your engine for
only brief intervals. Keep a dome light on. You can help keep yourself
warm by performing simple exercises while sitting in your automobile.
Wherever you are, if there is no house or other
source of help in sight, do not leave your vehicle to search for
assistance as you may become confused and get lost.
Avoid Overexertion. Every winter many
unnecessary deaths occur because people - especially the elderly, but
younger ones as well - engage in more strenuous physical activity than
their bodies can stand. Cold itself, WITHOUT any physical
exertion, puts an extra strain on your heart.
If you add to this physical exertion, especially
exercise that you are not accustomed to - such as shoveling snow,
pushing an automobile, or even walking fast or far - you are risking a
heart attack, a stroke, or damage to your body. In winter weather, and
especially in winter storms, be aware of this danger and avoid
overexertion.
Hypothermia. Hypothermia can occur in an
exposure to severely cold weather. Symptoms can range from frost bite, a
white or waxy appearance of the skin with pain or numbness, to severe
hypothermia, where the victim may have an altered level of
consciousness, slurred speech, staggering gait, or breathing problems.
If this occurs, remove the person from the cold. Remove wet clothing and
replace with dry clothing or a blanket. Warm the patient gradually with
blankets or chemical warming packs. Do NOT rub the body. Treat
gently. Rough or excessive handling could cause the condition to worsen.
Do NOT give coffee or alcohol. Warm fluids can be given after
re-warming has taken place.
|
