- If possible, stay indoors and dress warmly.
- Close off unused rooms.
- Seal drafts from doors and windows.
- Do not use generators, gas or charcoal grills indoors.
Carbon monoxide dangers »
Outdoor Safety
- Wear loose-fitting, layered clothes for more warmth. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water-repellent.
- Wear mittens rather than gloves – mittens are warmer.
- Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extremely cold air.
- Watch for signs of frostbite: Feeling of "pins and needles" followed by numbness (no feeling). Skin may freeze hard and look white. When thawed out, skin is red and painful. Very bad frostbite may cause blisters or gangrene (black, dead tissue).
- Watch for signs of hypothermia (uncontrolled shivering, slow speech, memory loss, stumbling, sleepiness, extreme tiredness).
- If you think you have frostbite or hypothermia, don't eat or drink anything containing caffeine or alcohol – they can worsen your symptoms.
- Drink warm liquids that do not contain caffeine or alcohol. (alcoholic drinks cause your body to lose heat more quickly).
- Do not eat snow! Snow can lower your body temperature and help bring on hypothermia.
In Your Car (Travel with caution)
- Listen for travel warnings.
- Avoid unnecessary trips in order to keep off icy roads. Ice may be more likely on bridges; plan your route to avoid bridges when possible.
- Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to arrive. Ask them to notify help if you are late.
- Check and restock emergency supplies in your car before you leave.
- Never pour water on your windshield to remove ice or snow; the windshield may shatter.
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