Winter may be a favorite season for some, but it can also create a dangerous and hazardous environment. These tips may be helpful in preparation for and during a winter storm.

BEFORE THE STORM: You can protect yourself and your family and plan for possible emergencies before the storm.
• Stay informed of the weather. Set up your phone to receive alerts for your area. Visit 511NY or sign up for NY-Alert.
• Have a family storm readiness plan in place. Since you may not all be together when the event occurs, make sure you know how you will contact one another.
• Purchase a weather radio or a radio with a battery back-up. Have battery-powered flashlights and lanterns available as well as extra replacement batteries.
• Make sure that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly.
• Maintain an emergency pack in your home and in your car. Include ready-to-eat food, water, first aid kit, necessary medications, blankets or sleeping bags, and extra clothing for everyone in the family. For detailed information, see www.health.ny.gov/extremecold
• Winterize your vehicle, maintain it in good repair (battery, lights, wipers and fluid, brakes) and keep your gas tank full, as gas stations may close.
• Stock up on fuel oil.
• Have cash on hand in case bank machines and electronic payment methods are not available.
• Make sure pets and animals have sheltered areas and plenty of water and food.

ON THE ROAD: During the storm, there are important decisions to make if you must travel.
• Don’t drive unless it is truly necessary. If you must be out, make sure someone knows your route and timetable. If you are out when a storm begins, get off the road as soon as possible to avoid being stranded.
• Remove snow and ice from your vehicle with a snowbrush/ice scraper, as it helps to see and to be seen, and protect others from ice missiles detaching from the roof of the vehicle.
• Warm up your vehicle to reduce moisture condensing on the inside of the windows.
• Use extra care due to a possible reduction in tire traction from snow and ice, as well as poor visibility.
• Stay buckled and slow down. Posted speed limits are for ideal travel conditions. Lengthen the following distance: the stopping distance may be double that on a dry road. Steel and concrete bridges are likely to be icy first as they cool down faster.
• Be alert for black ice: it appears as shiny new asphalt; pavement should look grey/white in winter.
• Do not use cruise control - you must be always in full control.
• Dress appropriately in multiple thin layers of clothing and warm, waterproof footwear. Choose warm layers of clothing when securing children in car seats. Heavy or puffy coats interfere with proper harness fitting of a child.
• Account for possible delays. Include the following in your winter driving kit: bags of sand or kitty litter, snow brush and ice scraper, booster cables, warning devices, warm clothing, blankets, and emergency food and water.
• Attempting to walk in a severe winter storm can be deadly. If you become trapped in your vehicle, stay in the vehicle. Run the motor for 10 minutes each hour. Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked. Move arms and legs to keep blood circulating. Be visible to rescuers. If you must be a pedestrian, be sure to be visible after dark and in bad weather.

AT HOME: During the storm, stay indoors, and wait it out.
• If you are using alternate heat from a fireplace, wood stove, or kerosene space heater, make sure you have proper ventilation and fire protections in place. Never use a generator, gas grill, camp stove, or charcoal-burning device inside a home, garage, or basement. Locate units outside away from doors, windows, or vents that could allow carbon monoxide to enter indoors.
• Run water, even at a trickle, to prevent pipes from freezing.
• Dress warmly in multiple layers of loose-fitting clothing. Outer clothing should be hooded and repel water if you must go outside. Wear a hat, mittens, or gloves. Cover your mouth and exposed skin with a scarf, neck gator, or face mask if it is extremely cold.
• Keep dry and change wet clothing frequently.
• Be alert for frostbite by checking for numbness or white areas on your face and extremities. Get medical assistance immediately if signs of confusion, slurred speech, stiff muscles, or uncontrollable shivering occur – these are all symptoms of hypothermia.
• Help your neighbors who are elderly, people living alone, or who require special assistance.
• Check on your animals and pets. Bring them indoors, as possible.
• For more winter safety and weather-related preparedness information visit: www.health.ny.gov/floodhelp.

Shovel Snow Safely
When shoveling, avoid overexertion especially if you have any prior medical conditions. Blood vessels are constricted by the cold and the heart must work harder. The added stress of shoveling snow or walking in deep snow could trigger a heart attack or stroke.

National Safety Council recommends the following tips:
• Do not shovel after eating.
• Take it slow and stretch out before you begin.
• Shovel fresh, powdery snow.
• Push the snow, rather than lifting it.
• Lift with your legs, not your back.
• Do not shovel to the point of exhaustion.
• Know the signs of a heart attack and stop immediately. Call 911 if you are experiencing any symptoms.

Snow Blower Safety
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends the following tips:
• If the snow blower jams, turn it off.
• Keep your hands away from moving parts.
• Be aware of the carbon monoxide risk of running a snow blower in enclosed areas.
• Add fuel outdoors before starting, and never add fuel while running.
• Never leave a snow blower unattended while it is running.

CHILDREN AT PLAY
Sledding Safety
• Be familiar with the location of fences, trees, poles, rocks, open water, and patches of ice.
• Avoid steep hillsides with little vegetation. Sled on spacious, gently sloped hills with a level run-off at the end so the sled can stop.
• Avoid sledding down hills that lead to roadways.
• Do not sled on or around frozen lakes, streams, or ponds.
• Riders should sit or lay on their back on top of the sled with feet pointing downhill.
• Dress wearing thick gloves and boots to prevent frostbite and injury.


Building a Snow Fort
Snow forts can be dangerous without adequate safety measures. Snow forts can collapse, causing suffocation, internal injuries, broken bones, frostbite, hypothermia, and can result in death.
• Avoid digging tunnels or forts inside embankments that could potentially collapse.
• Advise children to build an open structure without a roof or heavy walls.
• Always have children play in pairs or groups, so one can call for help, if needed.
• Avoid playing near snowplow routes or close to roads.

Preparing for severe winter weather and following safe practices during travel and at home can help you and your family stay safe and prevent injuries during the next winter storm.

For more winter safety information, visit:
Cold Weather Tips - New York State Department of Health
Weather Emergencies: Storms, Floods, and Power Outages - New York State Department of Health
Don’t Be Left in the Dark: Advice for Floods, Storms, and Outages - New York State Department of Health
Safe Winter Driving #DontCrowdThePlow - New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee
Winter Safety Topics - National Safety Council
Winter Safety Tips: Puffy Coats Should Not Be Worn in Car Seats - American Academy of Pediatrics
Winter Weather Driving Tips - National Highway Safety Administration
Home Fire Prevention - New York State Department of Health
Pedestrian Safety: It’s No Accident - See! Be Seen! - New York State Department of Health