Get Prepared for Frigid Temperatures, Winter Storms
News Release: January 14, 2004
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
As frigid temperatures and winter weather sweep the Greater Lehigh Valley, the American Red Cross urges families to be prepared.
Preparedness is key, says Nina Johnson, manager of disaster services for the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley. Keeping safe and warm in cold weather means taking care of home heating hazards, planning for cold weather emergencies and dressing appropriately.
Residents not only need to think of themselves, but also elderly family members and friends who may have circulation problems and often just arent as sensitive to the cold weather. Elderly family and friends are often susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite and also to falls if they go outside.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, four out of seven home fires occur during December, January and February, and about half of these fires are caused by using
candles and overloading electrical circuits. In addition, as families turn to alternative heating sources out of necessity or to avoid the rising cost of oil and gas, the risk of house fires increases.
Residents should take the following precautions:
Be careful with candles - Keep candles away from combustible materials. Don't leave children or pets unattended in a room with lit candles. Keep candles, matches and lighters out of the reach of children. Never display lighted candles in windows or near exits.
Inspect fireplaces and wood stoves - Have your chimney connections and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned if necessary prior to the start of every heating season. Use a sturdy screen when burning fires. Burn only wood -- never burn paper or pine boughs.
Check smoke detectors - Make sure detectors are working properly and that new batteries are installed.
Be aware of overuse of electrical outlets - Don't overload your electrical outlets. Be careful of extension cords that present hazardous walkways.
Dress Appropriately for the Out of Doors
Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves.
Most of your body heat is lost through your head so wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.
Dress in warm layers so you can remove items if you get too warm.
Recognize the symptoms of hypothermia that can be a serious medical condition: confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.
Recognize frostbite warning signs: gray, white or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, waxy feeling skin. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.
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 temperature with a blanket or warm fluids like hot cider or soup. Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol if you expect you or someone you are trying to help has hypothermia or frostbite.
Prepare a Winter Storm Plan
Have extra blankets on hand.
Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water-resistant boots.
Service snow removal equipment before winter storm season.
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit for Your Home and Car Containing
First aid kit and essential medications.
Battery-powered NOAA Weather radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
Canned food and can opener.
Bottled water (at least one gallon of water per person per day to last at least 3 days).
Extra warm clothing, including boots, mittens, and a hat.
Nonclumping kitty litter. Kitty litter will generate temporary traction. Rock salt will melt ice on walkways but can damage vegetation and concrete. Other, less damaging, ice-melting products are available from building supply stores.
Stay Tuned for Storm Warnings
Listen to NOAA Weather Radio and your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information.
Know What Winter Storm WATCHES and WARNINGS Mean
A winter storm WATCH means a winter storm is possible in your area.
A winter storm WARNING means a winter storm is headed for your area.
A blizzard WARNING means strong winds, blinding wind-driven snow, and dangerous wind chill are expected. Seek shelter immediately!
When a Winter Storm WATCH is Issued...
Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio, and TV stations, or cable TV such as The Weather Channel for further updates.
Be alert to changing weather conditions.
Avoid unnecessary travel.
Move animals to sheltered areas. Have a water supply available. Most animal deaths in winter storms are from dehydration.
When a Winter Storm WARNING is Issued...
Stay indoors during the storm.
Conserve fuel. Winter storms can last for several days. Great demand may be placed on electric, gas, and other fuel distribution systems (fuel oil, propane, etc.). Suppliers of propane and fuel oil may not be able to replenish depleted supplies during severe weather. Electric and gas services may be temporarily disrupted when many people demand large amounts at the same time. Lower the thermostat to 65°F during the day and 55°F at night. Close off unused rooms, and stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors. Cover windows at night.
If you must go outside, several layers of lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Mittens (or gloves) and a hat will prevent loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs.
Understand the hazards of wind chill, which combines the cooling effect of wind and cold temperatures on exposed skin. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from a person's body at an accelerated rated, driving down the body temperature.
Walk carefully on snowy, icy, sidewalks.
After the storm, if you shovel snow, be extremely careful. Stretch before you go out. This will reduce your chances of muscle injury. Shoveling snow is physically strenuous work, so take frequent breaks. Avoid overexertion.
If you must go out during a winter storm, use public transportation if possible. About 70 percent of winter deaths related to ice and snow occur in automobiles.
Avoid traveling by car in a storm, but if you must... carry a Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk; keep your car's gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing; let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route. If you have a cell phone or two-way radio available for your use, keep the battery charged and keep it with you to call for help.
If You Do Get Stuck While Driving ...
Stay with your car. Do not try to walk to safety.
Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see.
Start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won't back up in the car.
Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so that you can be seen.
As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to stay warm.
Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air.
Preventive Action for Water Pipes
Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing because the temperature of the water running through it is above freezing.
Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55ΊF.
To Thaw Frozen Pipes
If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Locate the suspected frozen area of the water pipe. Likely places include pipes running against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt more ice in the pipe.
Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, and electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device. A blowtorch can make water in a frozen pipe boil and cause the pipe to explode. All open flames in homes present a serious fire danger, as well as a severe risk of exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.
Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.
Future Protection for Water Pipes
Consider relocating exposed pipes to provide increased protection from freezing. Pipes can be relocated by a professional if the home is remodeled.
Add insulation added to attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in these areas.
For more information on disaster safety, visit: www.redcross.org/disaster/safety.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training and emergency relief services to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents.
For more information, call the Red Cross at (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.
