Winter Weather

• Make sure your home is well insulated and that you have weather stripping around your doors and window sills to keep the warm air inside.
• Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector.
• Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.
• Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).
• Insulate your home by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to keep cold air out.
• Hire a contractor to check the structural ability of the roof to sustain unusually heavy weight from the accumulation of snow - or water, if drains on flat roofs do not work.
• If you have a wood-burning fireplace, consider storing wood to keep you warm if winter weather knocks out your heat. Also, make sure you have your chimney cleaned and inspected every year.
• Have at least one of the following heat sources in case the power goes out: 1.) Extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm winter coats 2.) Fireplace or wood-burning stove with plenty of dry firewood, or a gas log fireplace

Plan long trips carefully, listening to the radio or television for the latest weather forecasts and road conditions. If bad weather is forecast, drive only if absolutely necessary.

Emergency Kit for the Car

Should include:

• Jumper cables
• Flares or reflective triangle
• Shovel & ice scraper
• Car cell phone charger
• Battery powered radio
• Cat litter or sand for better tire traction
• Flashlight
• Set of warm clothing, including a hat, gloves, boots, and rain gear
• Blankets & hand warmers
• First aid kit & necessary medication
• Water and snacks
• Bright-colored cloth to tie to the antenna
• Tow rope
• Basic tool kit and tire repair kit

Prepare Your Vehicle for Emergencies

Have a mechanic check the following on your vehicle prior to an emergency:

• Antifreeze levels
• Battery and ignition system
• Brakes
• Exhaust system
• Fuel and air filters
• Heater and defroster
• Lights and flashing hazard lights
• Oil
• Thermostat
• Windshield wiper equipment and washer fluid level

Vehicle Safety Tips

• Keep your gas tank full in case of evacuation or power outages. A full tank will also keep the fuel line from freezing
• Install good winter tires and ensure they have adequate tread or any jurisdiction-required chains or studs
• Do not drive through flooded areas. Six inches of water can cause a vehicle to lose control or possibly stall. A foot of water will float many cars.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
• If a power line falls on your car you are at risk of electrical shock, stay inside until a trained person removes the wire.
• If there is an explosion or other factor that makes it difficult to control the vehicle, pull over, stop the car, and set the parking brake.
• If the emergency could impact the physical stability of the roadway avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs, and other hazards

If You Must Drive During a Storm, Take the Following Precautions

• Slow down! Even if the roads just look wet they could still be slick. More than 6,000 fatalities occur on the roadways each year due to weather conditions.
• Make sure your vehicle is completely clear of ice or snow before starting the trip. Flying snow from cars causes accidents.
• Let someone know where you are going and what route you will take. If something happens, this person will know where to start a search.
• Don't leave the house without the following a fully charged mobile phone and car charger and an emergency supplies kit in your car.
• If you are driving and begin to skid, remain calm, ease your foot off the gas, and turn your wheels in the direction you want the front of the car to go. If you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), apply steady pressure to the brake pedal. Never pump the brakes on an ABS-equipped vehicle.
• If you are having trouble seeing due to weather conditions, pull over to the side of the road and stop your car until visibility improves. Turn off your lights and use your parking break when stopped so that another car won't mistakenly follow your tail/brake lights and end up hitting you.

If your car gets stuck during a storm

• Stay in the vehicle!
• If you leave your vehicle, you will become disoriented quickly in wind-driven snow and cold.
• Run the motor for about 10 minutes each hour for heat.
• While running the motor, open the window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Clear snow from the exhaust pipe to avoid gas poisoning.
• Be visible to rescuers.
• Turn on the dome light at night when running the engine.
• Tie a bright-colored cloth, preferably red, to your antenna or door.
• After snow stops falling, raise the hood to indicate you need help.

For More Information

• Ready.gov - Car Safety
• NWS - Winter Storm Safety
• CDC - Prepare Your Car

Cold weather puts extra strain on the heart as the body tries to keep warm. Anyone performing hard work in the cold should take breaks regularly. Because the body is already working hard just to stay warm, it is possible to be overheated as well. Try to stay indoors when the weather is extremely cold, especially if the winds are high. If you must go outdoors, make trips outside as briefly as possible.

When going outside during very cold weather, adults and children should wear:

• a hat
• a scarf or knit mask to cover the face and mouth
• sleeves that are snug at the wrist
• insulated and waterproof mittens or gloves
• several layers of loose-fitting, thermal wear or material that “wicks” moisture off the skin
• a water-resistant or tightly woven coat
• two layers of socks with boots or shoes that are waterproof and have a flexible sole

Frostbite

Frostbite freezes the skin and can result in loss of feeling and even amputation. The risk of frostbite increases for those with poor blood circulation and people who are not dressed properly for the extremely cold temperatures.

Symptoms of frostbite:

• a white or grayish-yellow skin area
• skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
• numbness

To treat frostbite:

• Get the person indoors or to a warm place and remove any wet clothing
• Do not re-warm the skin unless it can be kept warm; warming then re-exposing the area can worsen the damage
• Do not use direct heat from heating pads, radiators, or fires.
• Do not rub or massage the skin
• Bandage the area with a loose sterile dressing, using gauze or cotton balls to separate fingers and toes
• Call 9-1-1

Hypothermia

Colder temperatures can cause hypothermia, a condition where the human body is at an abnormally low temperature. The condition affects the brain and someone suffering from hypothermia may not realize what is happening or do anything about it.

Warnings signs of hypothermia:

• Adults: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech drowsiness
• Infants: bright red, cold skin, very low energy

To treat hypothermia:

• If you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95° F, the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately!
• Get the person indoors and remove wet clothing
• Warm their trunk slowly first, not hands and feet; warming the extremities may cause shock
• If using hot water bottles or hot packs, wrap them in cloth; do not apply them directly to the skin
• Give the person a warm drink avoiding caffeine or alcohol

Caution: Each year, an average of 430 Americans die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, and there are more than 20,000 visits to the emergency room with more than 4,000 hospitalizations. Carbon monoxide-related deaths are highest during colder months. These deaths are likely due to the increased use of gas-powered furnaces and alternative heating, cooking, and power sources used inappropriately indoors during power outages.

• 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 the unit away from doors, windows, and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. Keep these devices at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents.
• 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.
• If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.
• Call for help from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrives to assist you.

Staying Safe Around Snowplows:

In the winter, INDOT snowplow drivers are out on the roads to keep them clear of snow and ice and keep you safe. Here’s what you need to know about driving around snowplows:

1. Distance: Give snowplows room to work. The plows are wide and can cross the centerline or shoulder. Don’t tailgate and try not to pass. If you must pass, take extreme caution and beware of the snow cloud.
2. Speed: Snowplows travel below the posted speed limit. Be patient. Allow plenty of time to slow down. Remember, Ice and Snow, Take it Slow.
3. Vision: A snowplow operator’s field of vision is restricted. You may see them, but they don’t always see you. Keep your distance and watch for sudden stops or turns.

For more information:

• INDOT
• PDF - INDOT Winter Driving Safety Brochure