Winter storms are dangerous. They can bring cold temperatures, power failures, loss of communication services and icy roads. You should limit your time outside during dangerously cold temperatures, snow and icy conditions.
Although remaining indoors reduces the risk of hypothermia, falls and automobile accidents, you may also face hazards inside your home. Protect yourself and your loved ones during a winter storm.
Light your home safely
If there is a power failure, use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns rather than candles, if possible. Candles can lead to house fires. If you do use candles, never leave lit candles unattended.
Heat your home safely
If the power goes out, use extra blankets, sleeping bags and warm winter coats to stay warm indoors. Be extremely careful if you plan to use a wood stove, fireplace or space heater. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and remember safety tips.
Do not use a stove, oven or indoor grill to heat your home. These appliances are ineffective at distributing heat and may give off carbon monoxide, a dangerous, odorless gas.
Install a battery-operated carbon monoxide (CO) detector to protect yourself from CO poisoning.
Have your heating system serviced by a qualified technician every year.
Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches and non-glowing elements. Make sure to keep them away from any flammable materials, like curtains or blankets.
Use fireplaces, wood stoves or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak gas from the flue or exhaust into the indoor air space.
Do not burn paper in a fireplace.
Use only the type of fuel your heater is designed to us and don't substitute.
Keep heat sources, like space heaters, at least three feet away from drapes, furniture or bedding. Never cover your space heater.
Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water.
Never leave children unattended near a space heater.
Make sure that the cord of an electric space heater is not a tripping hazard, but do not run the cable under carpets or rugs.
Avoid using extension cords to plug in your space heater.
If your space heater has a damaged electrical cord or produces sparks, do not use it.
Generators should be located at least 20 feet from any window, door or vent and in a space where rain and snow will not reach them. Never use generators, gas or charcoal grills, camp stoves or similar devices inside your home, in basements, garages or near windows. The fumes are deadly.
Plug in appliances to the generator using individual heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords.
Do not use the generator or appliances if they are wet.
Do not store gasoline indoors where the fumes could ignite.
Conserve heat
Some gas-fueled heaters, such as vent-less gas fireplaces, require some ventilation. Otherwise, keep as much heat as possible inside your home if you don't need extra ventilation.
Avoid unnecessarily opening doors or windows.
Close off unneeded rooms.
Stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors.
Close draperies or cover windows with blankets at night.
Keep babies and seniors warm
Infants under one year old should never sleep in a cold room because they lose body heat more quickly than adults. Follow these tips to keep your baby safe and warm during the extreme cold:
Remove any pillows or other soft bedding. These can increase the risk of smothering and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Dress babies in warmer clothing such as footed pajamas, one-piece wearable blankets or sleep sacks.
Try to maintain a warm temperature inside your home. If you cannot keep your home warm, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere.
In an emergency, you can keep your baby warm using your own body heat. If you must sleep, take precautions to prevent rolling on or smothering your baby.
Older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity. Check on elderly friends and neighbors often to ensure their homes are adequately heated.
If you are over 65 years of age, check the temperature in your home often during extremely cold weather.
Keep a water supply
Extreme cold can cause water pipes in your home to freeze and sometimes rupture or break. When you are expecting very cold or freezing temperatures:
Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously.
Keep the temperature inside your home warm.
Allow heated air to reach pipes. For example, open cabinet doors beneath the kitchen and bathroom sinks.
If your pipes do freeze, do not thaw them with a torch. Thaw the pipes slowly with warm air from an electric hair dryer.
If you cannot thaw your pipes, or the pipes have broken open, use bottled water or get water from a neighbor's home.
As an emergency measure, snow can be melted for water if no other water is available. Bringing water to a rolling boil for one minute will kill most germs but won't eliminate chemicals sometimes found in snow.
Eating and drinking
Eating well-balanced meals will help you stay warmer. Do not drink alcoholic or caffeinated beverages because they cause the body to lose heat faster. Instead, drink warm, sweet beverages or broth to help keep yourself warm.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
