Winter storms and cold temperatures can be dangerous. Stay safe and healthy by planning ahead. Prepare your home and cars. Prepare for power outages and outdoor activity. And check on older adults, says the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Although winter comes as no surprise, many of us are not ready for its arrival. If you are prepared for the hazards of winter, you will be more likely to stay safe and healthy when temperatures start to fall.
Many people prefer to remain indoors during winter, but staying inside is no guarantee of safety. Remember to winterise 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 and have them serviced professionally. Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys and install a smoke detector. Also, have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available.
To prevent carbon monoxide (CO) emergencies, install a CO detector to alert you of the presence of the deadly, odourless, colourless gas. The symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
Prepare your car as well. Service the radiator and maintain antifreeze level; check tyre tread or, if necessary, replace tyres with all-weather or snow tyres. Keep 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; blankets; food and water; booster cables, flares, tyre 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).
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC