What to do and what not to do for you and your family concerning severe winter weather in the Roanoke Valley.

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Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines for winter storms ...

• Listen to your radio, television, or NOAA Weather Radio for weather reports and emergency information.

• Eat regularly and drink ample fluids, but avoid caffeine and alcohol.

• Conserve fuel, if necessary, by keeping your residence cooler than normal. Temporarily close off heat to some rooms.

• If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold (or where the cold was most likely to penetrate).

• Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid build-up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least three feet from flammable objects.

If you are outdoors:

• Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack—a major cause of death in the winter. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside.

• Cover your mouth. Protect your lungs from extremely cold air by covering your mouth when outdoors. Try not to speak unless absolutely necessary.

• Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.

• Watch for signs of frostbite. These include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.

• Watch for signs of hypothermia. These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion.

If you are driving:

• Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive, consider the following:

• Travel in the day, don’t travel alone, and keep others informed of your schedule.

• Stay on main roads; avoid back road shortcuts.

If a blizzard traps you in the car:

• Pull off the highway. Turn on hazard lights and hang a distress flag from the radio antenna or window.

• Remain in your vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find you. Do not set out on foot unless you can see a building close by where you know you can take shelter. Be careful; distances are distorted by blowing snow. A building may seem close, but be too far to walk to in deep snow.

• Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. When the engine is running, open a downwind window slightly for ventilation and periodically clear snow from the exhaust pipe. This will protect you from possible carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Exercise to maintain body heat, but avoid overexertion. In extreme cold, use road maps, seat covers, and floor mats for insulation. Huddle with passengers and use your coat for a blanket.

• Take turns sleeping. One person should be awake at all times to look for rescue crews.

• Drink fluids to avoid dehydration.

• Be careful not to waste battery power. Balance electrical energy needs - the use of lights, heat, and radio - with supply.

• Turn on the inside light at night so work crews or rescuers can see you.

• If stranded in a remote area, stomp large block letters in an open area spelling out HELP or SOS and line with rocks or tree limbs to attract the attention of rescue personnel who may be surveying the area by airplane.

• Leave the car and proceed on foot - if necessary - once the blizzard passes.

Information, advice and guidance from the American Red Cross ...

Storm categories:

• Winter Storm Outlook — Winter storm conditions are possible in the next 2 to 5 days.

• Winter Weather Advisory — Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. When caution is used, these situations should not be life threatening.

• Winter Storm Watch — Winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. People in a watch area should review their winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions.

• Winter Storm Warning — Life threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. People in a warning area should take precautions immediately.

Frostbite and hypothermia

Frostbite and hypothermia are cold-related emergencies that may quickly become life or limb threatening. Preventing cold-related emergencies includes not starting an activity in, on, or around cold

water unless you know you can get help quickly in an emergency. Be aware of the wind chill. Dress appropriately and avoid staying in the cold too long. Wear a hat and gloves when appropriate with layers of clothing. Drink plenty of warm fluids or warm water but avoid caffeine and alcohol. Stay active to maintain body heat. Take frequent breaks from the cold. Avoid unnecessary exposure of any part of the body to the cold. Get out of the cold immediately if the signals of hypothermia or frostbite appear. Frostbite is the freezing of a specific body part such as fingers, toes, the nose or earlobes.

Signals of frostbite include: Lack of feeling in the affected area, skin that appears waxy, is cold to the touch, or is discolored (flushed, white or gray, yellow or blue).

What to do for frostbite:  

1. Move the person to a warm place.  

2. Handle the area gently; never rub the affected area.

3. Warm gently by soaking the affected area in warm water (100–105 degrees F) until it appears red and feels warm.

4. Loosely bandage the area with dry, sterile dressings.

5. If the person’s fingers or toes are frostbitten, place dry, sterile gauze between them to keep them separated.

6. Avoid breaking any blisters.

7. Do not allow the affected area to refreeze.

8. Seek professional medical care as soon as possible.

Hypothermia is another cold-related emergencies. Hypothermia may quickly become life threatening.

Hypothermia is caused by the cooling of the body caused by the failure of the body’s warming system. The goals of first aid are to restore normal body temperature and to care for any conditions while waiting for EMS personnel.

Signals of hypothermia include: shivering, numbness, glassy stare, apathy, weakness, impaired judgment, loss of consciousness.

What to do for hypothermia:

1. CALL 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

2. Gently move the person to a warm place.

3. Monitor breathing and circulation.

4. Give rescue breathing and CPR if needed.

5. Remove any wet clothing and dry the person.

6. Warm the person slowly by wrapping in blankets or by putting dry clothing on the person. Hot water bottles and chemical hot packs may be used when first wrapped in a towel or blanket before applying. Do not warm the person too quickly, such as by immersing him or her in warm water. Rapid warming may cause dangerous heart arrhythmias.  Warm the core first (trunk, abdomen), not the extremities (hands, feet). This is important to mention because most people will try to warm hands and feet first and that can cause shock.

To help preserve your food, keep the following supplies in your home:

• One or more coolers — inexpensive styrofoam coolers work well.

• Ice—Surrounding your food with ice in a cooler or in the refrigerator will keep food colder for a longer period of time during a prolonged power outage.  

• A digital quick-response thermometer — With these thermometers you can quickly check the internal temperatures of food to ensure they are cold enough to use safely.

An emergency preparedness kit should include these supplies in case of a prolonged or widespread power outage:

• Water — one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)

• Food — non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)

• Flashlight (NOTE: Do not use candles during a power outage due to the extreme risk of fire.)

• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)

• Extra batteries

• First aid kit

• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items

• Multi-purpose tool

• Sanitation and personal hygiene items

• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, deed/lease to home, birth certificates, insurance policies)

• Cell phone with chargers

• Family and emergency contact information

• Extra cash If someone in your home is dependent on electric-powered, life-sustaining equipment, remember to include backup power in your evacuation plan.

• Keep a non-cordless telephone in your home. It is likely to work even when the power is out.

Other tips:

• Keep your car’s gas tank full.

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. First use perishable food from the refrigerator. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for about4 hours. Then use food from the freezer.  A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.

• Use your non-perishable foods and staples after using food from the refrigerator and freezer.

• If it looks like the power outage will continue beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items.

• Keep food in a dry, cool spot and keep it covered at all times.

• Electrical equipment — turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.

• Turn off or disconnect any appliances (like stoves), equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment. Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power is restored.

• Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out and roads will be congested.

• Using generators safely — When using a portable generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a portable generator to a home’s electrical system. If you are considering getting a generator, get advice from a professional, such as an electrician. Make sure the generator you purchase is rated for the power you think you will need.

• Do not touch any electrical power lines and keep your family away from them. Report downed power lines to the appropriate officials in your area.

• Throw out unsafe food. Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out. Never taste food or rely on appearance or odor to determine its safety. Some foods may look and smell fine, but if they have been at room temperature too long, bacteria causing food-borne illnesses can start growing quickly. Some types of bacteria produce toxins that cannot be destroyed by cooking. If food in the freezer is colder than 40° F and has ice crystals on it, you can refreeze it. If you are not sure food is cold enough, take its temperature with the food thermometer. Throw out any foods (meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) that have been exposed to temperatures higher than 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more, and any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture, or feels warm to touch.

• Caution: Carbon monoxide kills never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any

partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

• The primary hazards to avoid when using alternate sources for electricity, heating or cooking are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire. Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide. If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Call for help from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to assist you.

• Let your family know you’re safe If your community experiences a disaster, register on the American Red Cross Safe and Well Web site available through RedCross.orgto let your family and friends know about your welfare. If you don’t have Internet access, call 1-866-GET-INFOto register yourself and your family.

What to do after a storm:

• Go to a designated public shelter if your home loses power or heat during periods of extreme cold.

• Avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow or dense fog.

• Before tackling strenuous tasks in cold temperatures, consider your physical condition, the weather factors and the nature of the task.

• Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. Stay indoors, if possible.

• Help people who require special assistance such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.

• Check on your animals and make sure their access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles. If possible, bring them indoors.