Winter Weather Preparedness

Winter Weather Safety Tips

Never leave space heaters unattended.
- Keep heaters 3-ft from flammable material.
- Place on a flat, solid surface.
- Plug heaters directly into the wall.
- Check smoke alarm batteries.
Charge all electronics.
Stock up on water and non-perishable food.
Watch out for slippery surfaces when walking and driving.

Pipes: Wrap exposed faucets and pipes; keep water trickling.
Pets: Bring pets inside and provide blankets for warmth.
People: Check on elderly people and children.
Plants: Bring plants in containers into the house; cover sensitive outdoor plants with sheets.

Frostbite: signs and symptoms include numbness and tingling, a gray, blue, purple, brown, red, or ashy, appearance, hard or waxy skin, clumsiness due to joint and muscle stiffness, blisters upon rewarming.
- Rewarm skin, which may peel and hurt like a sunburn.
- Contact a healthcare provider for direction and, if frostbite is deep, go to an emergency room.
Hypothermia: signs and symptoms include shivering or fumbling hands, exhaustion or drowsiness, confusion or memory loss, slurred speech, bright red, cold skin or very low energy in infants
- Protect victim against wind, drafts, and further heat loss with, dry clothes and blankets
- Move to warm, dry shelter
- In a warm setting, remove wet clothes, hats, gloves, shoes and socks.
- Begin rewarming the person with extra clothing and warm blanks.
- Have the person drink warm, non-caffeine, nonalcoholic drinks. Do not give fluids to an unconscious person.
- If the hypothermic person is unconscious call TUPD or 911. If the person has no pulse or signs of breathing, begin CPR and/or ventilations.