Cold weather preparedness

Road closures due to snow and ice can make it hard to leave home. Store enough food and other essentials like diapers and pet food to last at least 3 days.

Make a transportation plan to pick up children, older family and friends, and people with special needs before the weather impacts roads.

Make sure you have medications and any special medical supplies, like oxygen tanks or syringes. Have a backup power source, such as a battery or generator, if you have medical equipment that requires electricity. If you depend on dialysis, talk to your dialysis provider about alternative arrangements and consult your healthcare provider about an emergency diet.

Learn to recognize symptoms of hypothermia, when exposure to cold temperatures make your body’s temperature drop dangerously low. Symptoms include uncontrolled shivering, slow or unclear speech, and feeling extremely tired. Very young and elderly people are at higher risk.

Prevent hypothermia by wearing multiple layers, seeking shelter, changing out of wet clothing, avoiding contact with metals, and protecting yourself from the wind. Heart disease, alcohol and drugs, exhaustion, and hunger can increase risk.

Treat hypothermia by bringing the person indoors or to a dry place protected from the wind. Remove wet clothing and cover the person with dry blankets. Put them next to a warm (not hot) heater, and/or lie under the covers next to the person to transfer your own body heat. Wrap an infant inside your own clothing against your skin.

Avoid driving or walking outside and move indoors during a windstorm.

Stay away from windows and doors to avoid flying branches, falling trees, and broken glass.

Move to a small interior room, like a bathroom, closet or hallway. If you can, go to a basement or ground floor. For more protection, get under a sturdy table or desk.