Staying Safe Outdoors in Winter Weather

Do not ignore shivering. It's an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.

Avoid getting gasoline or alcohol on your skin while de-icing and fueling your car or using a snow blower. These materials in contact with the skin greatly increase heat loss from the body.

Avoid Exertion
Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor's advice about shoveling snow or performing other hard work in the cold. Otherwise, if you have to do heavy outdoor chores, dress warmly and work slowly. Remember, your body is already working hard just to stay warm, so don't overdo it.

Understand Wind Chill
As the speed of the wind increases, it can carry heat away from your body much more quickly. When there are high winds, serious weather-related health problems are more likely, even when temperatures are only cool. For wind chill information and calculators, go to http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/windchill. The Wind Chill Chart shows the difference between air temperature and perceived temperature, and gives the amount of time until frostbite occurs.

Keep Off the Ice
Walking on ice can be extremely dangerous. Many cold-weather injuries result from falls on ice-covered sidewalks, steps, driveways and porches. Keep your steps and walkways as free of ice as possible using rock salt or another chemical de-icing compound. Sand may also be used on walkways to reduce the risk of slipping.

Stay Safe During Recreation
If you are hiking, camping, or skiing during cold weather, avoid becoming overtired. Be prepared to take emergency shelter, and carry waterproof matches and paraffin fire starters with you. Carefully watch for signs of cold-weather health problems.

Be Cautious About Traveling

• Listen for radio or television reports of travel advisories issued by the National Weather Service.
• Avoid traveling on ice-covered roads if at all possible.
• If you must travel by car, use tire chains.
• If you must travel, let someone know your destination and when you expect to arrive. Ask them to notify authorities if you are late.
• Check and restock the winter emergency supplies in your car before you leave.
• Never pour water on your windshield to remove ice or snow; this can shatter the glass.
• Don't rely on a car to provide sufficient heat; always have extra clothing or blankets on hand in case the car breaks down.

What to Do if You Get Stranded
Staying in your vehicle when stranded is often the safest choice if winter storms create poor visibility or if roadways are ice-covered. These steps will increase your safety when stranded:

• Stay in the car. Do not leave to search for assistance unless help is visible within 100 yards. It’s very easy to become disoriented or lost in blowing and drifting snow.
• Display a trouble sign. Tie a brightly colored cloth on the radio antenna and, if the engine is already cold, raise the hood.
• Move anything you need from the trunk into the passenger area.
• Wrap your entire body, including your head, in whatever is handy to help maintain body heat. Use extra clothing, blankets, maps, newspapers, or even removable car mats for added insulation.
• Stay awake. You will be less vulnerable to cold-related health problems.
• Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow – this will reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Run the motor (and heater) for about 10 minutes per hour, opening one downwind window slightly to let in air. Also, turn on the car's dome light while the car is running.
• Do minor exercises. As you sit, clap your hands and move your arms and legs occasionally to improve your circulation and stay warmer. Try not to stay in one position for too long. Avoid overexertion.
• If more than one person is in the car, huddle together for warmth. If you must sleep, take turns.
• Do not eat unmelted snow because it will lower your body temperature.

Frostbite and Hypothermia
Frostbite is a severe reaction to cold exposure that can cause permanent damage to its victims. Signs of frostbite include loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in the affected body parts – most typically the fingers, toes, nose and earlobes.

Hypothermia is a condition brought on when the body temperature drops to less than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, frequent stumbling, drowsiness, and exhaustion.

If frostbite or hypothermia is suspected, begin warming the person slowly and seek immediate medical assistance. If possible, make sure victims are dry and warm – put them in dry clothing and wrap them completely in blankets. If help is not available, warm the trunk, or torso, of the victim’s body first by huddling with the person. This way your own body heat will begin the re-warming process. If extra blankets, newspapers or other materials are available, wrap them around both of you for insulation. Arms and legs should be warmed last because stimulation of the limbs can drive cold blood toward the heart and lead to heart failure.

Never give a frostbite or hypothermia victim something with caffeine in it (like coffee or tea) or alcohol. Caffeine, a stimulant, can cause the heart to beat faster and hasten the effects the cold has on the body. Alcohol, a depressant, can slow the heart and also hasten the ill effects of cold body temperatures.

Winter Storm Watches and Warnings
A winter storm watch indicates that severe winter weather may affect your area. A winter storm warning indicates that severe winter weather conditions are definitely on the way. A blizzard warning means that large amounts of falling or blowing snow and sustained winds of at least 35 miles per hour are expected for several hours. For ongoing information about winter storms in your area, check out the FEMA Winter Storm Update Center online at: http://www.fema.gov/fema/wsuc.htm.

When winter temperatures drop significantly below normal, staying warm and safe can be a challenge. Although staying indoors as much as possible can help reduce your risk (especially for injuries from car crashes and falls on the ice) it’s probably not reasonable to expect to stay indoors whenever the temperature becomes dangerous. When you do go out, being prepared and following sensible health and safety precautions can make the difference between risking a dangerous excursion and experiencing a safe – if snowy – adventure.