Winter Safety PodcastDX

Winter storms and cold temperatures can be dangerous. Stay safe and healthy by planning ahead. Prepare your home and vehicles. Prepare for power outages and outdoor activity. Check on older adults.
Although winter comes as no surprise, many of us may not be ready for its arrival. If you are prepared for the hazards of winter, you are more likely to stay safe and healthy when temperatures start to fall.
Prepare Your Home Staying inside is no guarantee of safety. Take these steps pdf icon[PDF – 344 KB] to keep your home safe and warm during the winter months.
Winterize your home.
Install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows.
Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls.
Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.
Check your heating systems.
Have your heating system serviced professionally to make sure that it is clean, working properly, and ventilated to the outside.
Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.
Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available.
If you do not have a working smoke detector, install one. Test batteries monthly and replace them twice a year.
Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning emergencies.
Install a CO detector to alert you of the presence of the deadly, odorless, colorless gas. Check or change the battery when you change your clocks in the fall and spring.
Learn the symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
 
Get your vehicle ready for cold weather use before winter arrives.
Prepare Your Vehicle Get your vehicle ready for cold weather use before winter arrives.
Service the radiator and maintain antifreeze level.
Check your tires’ tread or, if necessary, replace tires with all-weather or snow tires.
Keep the gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
Use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer.
Prepare a winter emergency kit to keep in your car in case you become stranded. The kit should include:
Cell phone, portable charger, and extra batteries;
Items to stay warm, such as extra hats, coats, mittens, blankets, or sleeping bags;
Food and water;
Booster cables, flares, tire pump, and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction);
Compass and maps;
Flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries;
First-aid kit; and
Plastic bags (for sanitation).
Prepare for Emergencies Be prepared for weather-related emergencies, including power outages.
Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration and water stored in clean containers.
Ensure that your cell phone is fully charged.
When planning travel, be aware of current and forecast weather conditions.
Keep an up-to-date emergency kit pdf icon[PDF – 6.5 MB], including:
Battery-operated devices, such as a flashlight, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, and lamps;
Extra batteries;
First-aid kit and extra medicine;
Baby items; and
Cat litter or sand for icy walkways.
Protect your family from carbon monoxide (CO).
Keep grills, camp stoves, and generators out of the house, basement and garage.
Locate generators at least 20 feet from the house.
Leave your home immediately if the CO detector sounds, and call 911.
 
Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: layers of light, warm clothing; windproof coat, mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots.
Take Precautions Outdoors Outdoor activities can expose you to several safety hazards, but you can take these steps to prepare for them:
Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: wear a tightly woven, preferably wind-resistant coat or jacket; inner layers of light, warm clothing; mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots.
Sprinkle cat litter or sand on icy patches.
Learn safety precautions to follow when outdoors.
Work slowly when doing outside chores.
Take a buddy and an emergency kit when you are pa