Winter Safety Tips
Many injuries occur each winter as people try to keep their homes warm and get around in cold, stormy weather. December, January and February are the leading months for home fires and associated deaths in the United States. Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home-fire deaths in the United States and the leading cause during December and January. Each year, more than 700 people die of hypothermia (low body temperature) caused by extended exposure to cold temperatures both indoors and out. About half of these deaths are among persons age 65 and older; men in this age group are more likely than women to die from hypothermia.
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]-->
Know Your Winter Storm and Extreme Cold Terms
Freezing Rain: Rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on the roads, walkways, trees and power lines.
Sleet: Rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground.
Sleet also causes moisture on roads to freeze and become slippery.
Winter Storm Watch: A winter storm is possible in your area.
Winter Storm Warning: A winter storm is occurring or will soon occur in your area.
Blizzard Warning: Sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 mph or greater and considerable amounts of falling or blowing snow (reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile) are expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer.
Frost/Freeze Warning: Below freezing temperatures are expected.
You should have the following supplies in your disaster supply kit:
- Rock Salt to melt ice on walkways
- Sand to improve traction
- Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment
