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At
Home and Work Have Available:
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Flashlight and extra
batteries.
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Battery-powered NOAA
weather radio and commercial radio.
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Extra food and water.
High energy food or food that requires no cooking is
best.
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First-aid supplies.
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Emergency heating
source, such as a fireplace or UL approved space
heater (make sure you have proper ventilation).
In
Vehicles:
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Plan your travel and
check the latest weather reports to try to avoid
winter storms.
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Check and winterize your
vehicle before the winter season begins.
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Carry a winter storm
survival kit that includes: blankets/sleeping bags,
flashlight with extra batteries, first-aid kit,
knife, high-calorie non-perishable food, extra
clothing to keep dry, sand or kitty litter, shovel,
windshield scraper and brush, tool kit and booster
cables.
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Keep your gas tank near
full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
Dress for the Weather:
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Wear loose-fitting,
lightweight, warm clothing in several layers.
Trapped air insulates. Layers can be removed to
avoid perspiration and subsequent chill. Outer
garments should be tightly woven, water repellent,
and hooded.
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Wear a hat. Half your
body heat loss can be from the head.
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Cover your mouth to
protect your lungs from extreme cold.
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Mittens, sung at the
wrist, are better than gloves.
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Try to stay dry.
Avoid
Overexertion:
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Use
caution when shoveling heavy snow, pushing a car, or
walking in deep snow.
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The
strain from the cold and the hard labor may cause a
heart attack.
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Sweating could lead to chills and hypothermia.
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Frostbite is damage to
body tissue caused by freezing of the tissue.
Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and white or pale
appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes,
ear lobes, or the tip of the nose.
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If symptoms of frostbite
are detected, get medical help immediately. If you
must wait for help, slowly re-warm the affected
areas.
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Hypothermia occurs when
the body temperature drops too low. Warning signs
include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss,
disorientation, slurred speech, drowsiness, and
apparent exhaustion.
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If a person’s
temperature is below 95°
F, seek medical care immediately. If medical
care is not available, begin warming the person
slowly. Get the person into dry clothing and wrap
them in a warm blanket, covering the head and neck.
Do not give the person hot beverages or food,
warm broth is better. Do not warm the
extremities (arms and legs) first as this drives the
cold blood towards the heart and can lead to heart
failure.
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