Be smart when it comes to winter weather

I stopped last time with hypothermia. This week I want to move into safety during the winter season.

Being safe in dangerous winter weather means not only taking the appropriate steps during the storm but also having the right supplies beforehand. If you wait to stock up on supplies until a watch or warning is issued, you run the risk of the supplies being out of stock or the store being closed.

At home

Beforehand

The checklist below provides some basic guidance on what to have in your house/apartment during the winter should you be trapped by the snow or lose electricity. This is not an exhaustive list.

Food and water are vital necessities during a winter storm; however, these foods should be safe to consume should power be lost. Use the checklist below to help stock your shelves.

If permissible, a generator is a valuable asset to power key household appliances. Carefully follow all directions provided with the generator.

Additional information on assembling home disaster kits can be found on the FEMA website.

During the event

During severe winter weather, the best advice is to stay inside your house.

Plummeting temperatures and high winds that often accompany winter storms allow frostbite and hypothermia to set in quickly if you are outside. Also, road conditions will likely be very treacherous, especially if you live in rural areas. Monitor local media outlets for the latest information on the storm.

In your vehicle

Beforehand

Each fall, take the time to go through your vehicle and winterize it.

More importantly, make sure you carry a winter survival kit in your car in case you get stranded. You can use a large plastic tote or box to hold all of the needed items. If you already have one in your car, go through it and make sure it is fully stocked and ensure that any perishable items are still good to use. Items that should be in a winter survival kit are covered in the checklist below.

During the event

• Check road conditions by calling 511.
• Travel in the day and do not travel alone.
• Stay on the main roads and avoid back road shortcuts.
• Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive.
• Drive cautiously and leave plenty of space between you and the car ahead of you.

If you become stranded in your car

• Break out your emergency winter survival kit!
• Turn on your hazard lights and hang a distress flag from the radio antenna or window.
• Remain in your vehicle where rescuers can find you unless a shelter is very close.
• Periodically run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour to keep warm.
• Check the exhaust pipe periodically to make sure that your exhaust outlet pipe is free of blockage and slightly open a downwind window to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Eat and drink regularly, but avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• Exercise to maintain body heat, but avoid overexertion.
• Turn on the inside light at night so work crews or rescuers can see you.
• Take turns sleeping with one person awake at all times to look for rescue crews.
• Once the storm passes, staying with your car is recommended. It is easier to find a stranded vehicle than a person walking in the snow.

Outside

• Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing (shirts, pants, socks, etc.) rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
• Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.
• Wear a hat which will prevent the loss of body heat.
• Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
• Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling heavy snow or pushing a car. The strain from the cold and the hard labor may cause a heart attack. Sweating could lead to a chill and hypothermia.

If you are planning to take a hunting, camping, or other extended outdoor trip in the mid-fall to mid-spring timeframe, pay attention to the weather in the days leading up to the trip. If severe winter weather is forecast, consider postponing the trip. If you do head out:

• Pack extra warm clothes, such as coats, hats, and mittens, as well as an additional change of regular clothes should you get wet. Many times, especially in the fall, warm summer-like weather can precede a dangerous winter storm, lulling people into a false sense of security.
• Let friends and family know your travel plans and carry a cellphone. Ask people back home to routinely check the weather and call you if conditions are expected to deteriorate.
• Use your phone to check on the latest weather conditions and if any watches and/or warnings are issued.
• Carry a portable radio or NOAA Weather Radio to check on weather conditions.

Should you become caught outside in a violent winter storm:

• If a building or structure is nearby (less than a quarter of a mile away), seek shelter there.
• If there is not shelter nearby, stay put! You could become disoriented by the blinding snow.
• Build a lean-to or hollow out a snow save to shield yourself from the wind.
• Stay dry and cover all exposed parts of the body.
• Start a fire for heat and to attract attention. Place rocks around the fire to absorb and reflect heat.
• Do not eat snow because it will lower your body temperature. Melt it first.

I want to thank the Sioux Falls National Weather Service for allowing me to share this important information.

As always, keep an eye on the sky.

Bob the EM