Winter Survival Tips

Stop Sign in Blizzard Conditions

Winter Survival Tips

There is more to surviving cold weather than just keeping warm!

Be prepared for winters severe storms by following these Winter Survival Tips

First and foremost - One of the biggest threats during a major snow storm is Power Outages - leaving you without heat for your home, the ability to cook food, access to hot water, lighting and communication with the outside world.

Take the steps now to obtain an emergency backup power supply; if you wait until there is a storm approaching or after it has passed there might not be any left to purchase; generators are one of the first things to fly off the store shelves when there are power outages due to a major storm.

Know the Difference Warnings, Watches & Advisory

Staying up to date with winter storm watches, warnings and advisories is the first step to surviving winter storms.

A Watch is an alert indicating the possibility of winter precipitation and will be announced 12 to 48 hours before the start of a winter storm.

A Warning is a statement made by the National Weather Service of the United States which means a storm is occurring or is about to occur in the area, usually within 24 hours.

Generally, a Warning is issued if at least 4 inches (10 cm) to 6 inches (15 cm) or more of snow or 3 inches (7.6 cm) or more of snow with a large accumulation of ice is forecast. In the Southern United States where winter weather is far less common, warning criteria is lower.

Usually, a large accumulation of ice alone with no snow will result in an Ice Storm Warning, or in the case of light freezing rain, a Winter Weather Advisory, a Freezing Rain Advisory, or Drizzle Advisory.

Go to Intellicast.com to view their interactive snow cover map to get current snow conditions.

Winter Preparedness

Minimize travel. If travel is necessary, keep a winter storm disaster supply kit in your vehicle. You can purchase a kit or create your own.

Include these items in your kit:

Personal Items	Other Useful Items
Change of Clothes	Gas Can
Hand Warmers	Battery Powered Radio
Pair of Boots and Extra Socks	Jumper Cables
Extra Pair of Gloves, a Hat & Scarf	Flares & Flashlight
Extra Blanket	Lighter & Matches
First-aid Kit	Small Shovel
Bottled Water	Ice Scrapper
Food - Energy Bars	Bag of kitty litter or sand to provide traction if you are stuck in the snow

Amazon.com Widgets

Winterize your vehicle and keep the gas tank full. A full tank will keep the fuel line from freezing.

Insulate your home by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to keep cold air out.

Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year.

Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter storm weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water.

Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing. All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside and kept clear.

Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or other local news channels for critical information on Winter Storm Watches and Warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS).

Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing, wear mittens and a hat (preferably one that covers your ears).

Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.

Winter Survival Tips During a Storm

Listen to your radio, television, or NOAA Weather Radio for weather reports and emergency information.

Eat regularly and drink ample fluids, but avoid caffeine and alcohol.

Conserve fuel, if necessary, by keeping your residence cooler than normal. Temporarily close off heat to some rooms.

If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold (or where the cold was most likely to penetrate).

Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid build-up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least three feet from flammable objects.

Blizzard Survival Tips

Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive, consider the following:

Travel in the day, don’t travel alone, and keep others informed of your schedule.
Stay on main roads; avoid back road shortcuts.

If a blizzard traps you in the car: Traffic jam in a blizzard

Pull off the highway. Turn on hazard lights and hang a distress flag from the radio antenna or window.

Remain in your vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find you.

Do not set out on foot unless you can see a building close by where you know you can take shelter. Be careful; distances are distorted by blowing snow. A building may seem close, but be too far to walk to in deep snow.

Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. When the engine is running, open a downwind window slightly for ventilation and periodically clear snow from the exhaust pipe. This will protect you from possible carbon monoxide poisoning.

Exercise to maintain body heat, but avoid overexertion. In extreme cold, use road maps, seat covers, and floor mats for insulation. Huddle with passengers and use your coat for a blanket.

Take turns sleeping. One person should be awake at all times to look for rescue crews.

Drink fluids to avoid dehydration.

Be careful not to waste battery power. Balance electrical energy needs - the use of lights, heat, and radio - with supply.

Turn on the inside light at night so work crews or rescuers can see you.

If stranded in a remote area, stomp large block letters in an open area spelling out HELP or SOS and line with rocks or tree limbs to attract the attention of rescue personnel who may be surveying the area by airplane.

Leave the car and proceed on foot - if necessary - once the blizzard passes.

Keep an emergency car kit in your vehicle packed with all the survival supplies you might need if you get stranded.

Outdoor Winter Survival Tips

Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack—a major cause of death in the winter. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside.

Cover your mouth. Protect your lungs from extremely cold air by covering your mouth when outdoors. Try not to speak unless absolutely necessary.

Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.

Watch for signs of frostbite. These include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.

Watch for signs of hypothermia. These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion.

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Treating Frostbite

Frosty Thermometer Frostbite is not a common problem, but can be a big problem for people who do not regularly experience severe cold weather.

Frostbite is the temporary (superficial) or permanent (deep) skin tissue damage caused by prolonged skin-tissue temperature of 23 degrees F and below.

It is the freezing of skin and damage to underlying blood vessels upon exposure to extreme cold.

Blood flow halts in frostbitten skin, and the area must be thawed and rewarmed swiftly to prevent tissue death (gangrene) and infection. The ears, nose, hands, and feet are particularly susceptible.

Current Surface Wind Chill Temperatures

Surviving Hypothermia

Frostbite is sometimes accompanied by a life-threatening drop in internal body temperature, known as hypothermia, which must be treated first.

Get the victim to a warm location,
Remove wet clothing, put the person in dry clothing and
Wrap their entire body in a blanket - warm the center of the body first.
Give warm, non-alcoholic or non-caffeinated beverages if the victim is conscious.
Get medical help as soon as possible.

More Winter Survival Tips for the Aftermath

Go to a designated public shelter if your home loses power or heat during periods of extreme cold.

Avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow or dense fog.

Before tackling strenuous tasks in cold temperatures, consider your physical condition, the weather factors and the nature of the task.

Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. Stay indoors, if possible.

Help people who require special assistance such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.

Check on your animals and make sure that their access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles. If possible, bring them indoors.

De-icing Your Vehicle

You can prevent the ice from building up on your car windows by spraying the windshield with a two part solution of water & vinegar (2/3 v & 1/3 w) the night before.

If you forget to do this the night before, you can also spray this solution on your windshield in the morning to help quickly melt the ice.

Spray your windshield wipers and door jams the night before with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the ice from sticking to the blades and freezing your doors shut.

Replace your washer fluid with a winter-grade de-icer fluid to help melt the ice on your windshield and to keep the water line from freezing.

Ice Covered Vehicle Hazards

DO NOT pour boiling water on the windows to remove ice, it will crack them.
Caution should be taken when starting your vehicle - check to make sure the exhaust pipe and radiator grill are not blocked and don't leave your vehicle unattended because if the coolant is improperly mixed and the radiator is frozen, it will overheat and destroy your engine.

Use Extreme Caution Carbon Monoxide Kills

Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

The primary hazards to avoid when using alternate sources for electricity, heating or cooking are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire.

Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.