Winter Weather Guide
When cold winter weather threatens, the following safety tips and resources can help you stay safe and protect your home and business.
Tips and Resources
The following information is courtesy of WKYC/WKYC.com in Cleveland.
Know the Terms
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Blizzard Watch: Conditions exist for the possible occurrence of sustained or gusty winds of 35 mph or more are expected to reduce visibility at or below a quarter of a mile for at least three hours. Usually issued 12 to 36 hours in advance of the start of blizzard conditions.
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Blizzard Warning: Issued when sustained or gusty winds of 35 mph or more are expected to reduce visibility at or below a quarter of a mile for at least three hours. Usually issued 6 to 18 hours in advance of the start of blizzard conditions.
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Winter Storm Watch: Conditions exist for the possible occurrence of severe winter weather such as blizzard conditions, heavy snow, significant freezing rain or heavy sleet. Usually issued 12 to 36 hours in advance of the winter storm.
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Winter Storm Warning: Issued when heavy snow, significant freezing rain or heavy sleet is expected to occur. Usually issued 6 to 18 hours in advance of the winter storm.
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Winter Weather Advisory for Snow: A fall of snow within 12 hours of usually 3 to 5 inches.
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Winter Weather Advisory for Freezing Rain: A glaze of ice is expected from freezing rain that may hamper travel.
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Winter Weather Advisory for Blowing & Drifting Snow: Blowing and drifting snow will occasionally reduce visibility to an eighth of a mile or less with significant drifting in open areas.
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Wind Chill Advisory: Wind chill temperatures are expected to be -10° to -25° Fahrenheit (F) for an extended period of time.
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Wind Chill Warning: Issued for wind chills below -25° Fahrenheit (F) for an extended period of time.
Types of Severe Winter Weather
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Freezing Rain: Rain that freezes upon contact with a cold surface.
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Sleet: Solid grains of ice that form from rain that freezes before reaching the ground. These pellets of ice tend to bounce upon contact and may accumulate enough to cover the ground, even to the depth of several inches.
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Dense Fog: Visibility is reduced to one-quarter mile or less over a widespread area.
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Snow Flurry: A brief instance of light snow with very little or no accumulation of snow on the ground.
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Snow Squall: An intense fall of accumulating snow reducing visibility significantly and often accompanied by increased winds.
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Heavy Snow: Six inches or more of snow in 24 hours for widespread snow and six inches in 12 hours for lake effect snow.
Preparing at Home (or Work)
Remaining indoors protected from the elements is the safest place during a winter storm. The primary concern of indoor shelter is the potential loss of heat, power, telephone service, and a shortage of supplies if the storm persists for more than a day. Keep the following available:
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Battery-powered NOAA weather radio and portable AM/FM radio
- Extra food and water, especially high energy food that requires no cooking or refrigeration such as dried fruit and canned goods (don't forget the non-electric can opener)
- Medicine, first aid supplies and ample baby supplies
- Emergency heating source, such as a stocked fireplace, wood stove, or space heater
- Smoke detector and fire extinguisher since the chance of fire increases dramatically using alternative heating
Preparing the Car or Truck
About 70 percent of deaths during an ice or snow storm occur in a vehicle! If you wonder if you should attempt to travel, then don't! If you must travel, then allow extra time. Reduce your speed and do not attempt to make sudden turns or stops. Winterize the vehicle so it will be reliable. This includes a good set of tires. Other items necessary for the car or truck include:
- Dry blanket(s) or sleeping bag
- Extra dry clothing
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- High calorie, non-perishable food
- Snow shovel, windshield scraper and brush
- Booster cables
- First aid kit and a small container for water
- Maps, compass, knife and waterproof matches
Protecting the Pets
Don't forget the animals during a winter storm! Most animal deaths during a storm are caused by dehydration from frozen water.
- A temperature of 10° Fahrenheit (F) or below is too cold for any pet to tolerate. The physical stress of cold temperatures can make pets more susceptible to illness or infection.
- Provide outdoor dogs and cats with a dry, insulated pet house or shelter out of the wind. Staying warm demands extra calories, so increase your pet's food intake (particularly protein).
- Remove ice, salt and caked mud from your pet's paws and coat right away. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has frostbite. Frostbitten skin may turn reddish, white or gray and it may be scaly or sloughing.
- Pets like the smell and taste of antifreeze, but even a small amount can kill them.
- Don't use metal water dishes outside as your pet's tongue could stick to the frozen metal.
- Dogs confined to the house because of winter weather may lack proper exercise and suffer depression. Help by giving more attention and encouraging them to be active.
Winter Fire Safety
Winter holidays can be a joyous time for all, but nearly 50 percent of civilian fire deaths occur throughout the winter season: November to February. Most heating fires involve fireplaces and chimneys. The most dangerous place to be is in your home. Your home can be a cozy, warm place away from a harsh winter, but it can also become dangerous if you don't take special precautions.
- Keep children, pets, holiday decorations and loose clothing at a safe distance around heating equipment. Always turn off portable heating appliances when leaving home or retiring for the evening. Be sure the fire in the fireplace is out before going to bed.
- Have chimneys, fireplaces and other heating devices inspected by a qualified professional at the start of every heating season.
- Use a sturdy screen or glass closure in front of your fireplace, and burn only clean firewood. Never burn treated lumber.
- Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, including the basement, and test them monthly. If you smell gas in your home, contact your local utility company or qualified professional heating contractor and follow their advice.
- Inspect heat tape before using it. Never thaw frozen pipes with an open flame.
Candle Burning Safety Tips
- Place candles on a secure surface in sturdy, non-combustible holders that won't tip over. Make sure holders are large enough to catch drippings.
- Keep candles away from children and pets. Candles should be out of children's reach.
- Keep candles away from combustible items such as curtains, books and paper. Remember the "three-foot rule" – anything combustible needs to be kept at least three feet away from a heat source.
- Keep candles away from flammable liquids. Do not use a candle for light when fueling a kerosene heater or lantern. The flame may ignite the fumes.
- Avoid using candles during a power outage. A flashlight is a safer option. Don't carry a lit candle.
- Remember to extinguish candles when leaving the room or going to sleep. Never leave children or pets unattended in a room with a lit candle.
Wind Chill
Wind Chill is not the actual temperature, but rather how wind and cold feel on exposed skin. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from the body at an accelerated rate, driving down the body temperature. Animals are also affected by wind chill; however, cars, plants and other objects are not.
Frostbite
Frostbite is damage to the body tissue caused by extreme cold. A wind chill of -20° Fahrenheit (F) will cause frostbite in just 30 minutes. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately! If you must wait for help, slowly re-warm affected areas. However, if the person is also showing signs of hypothermia, warm the body core before the extremities.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a condition brought on when the body temperate drops to less than 95° Fahrenheit (F). It can kill. For those who survive, there are likely to be lasting kidney, liver, and pancreas problems. Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. Take the person's temperature. If it is below 95° Fahrenheit (F), seek medical care immediately!
