7 Ways to Stay Safe in a Blizzard

Stock up on food and water.

Have an emergency medicine bag. Think ahead about which
medications you and your family members will need, and which
medications you should have in case of emergency.

Stay indoors. There are very few things that would justify going
out in a blizzard in your car or on public transportation. Weather
experts recommend you stay inside if at all possible. Driving can be
treacherous, and roads may shut down. It’s also important to make
sure you know when the snow might start.
Watch for frostbite. If you have to go outside, dress properly.
Doctors recommend wearing three layers: one that can absorb
sweat, a second to serve as insulation, and the last to seal out cold
temperatures. Be sure to wear a hat and gloves, as the parts of the
body most vulnerable to frostbite are the ears, earlobes, tip of the
nose, cheeks, fingers, and toes since they’re at the edges of blood
circulation.
Know the signs of hypothermia. If the body’s core temperature
dips below 36°, hypothermia could begin. Its symptoms are
shivering, pale skin, and nails turning blue.
Avoid alcohol. Drinking has many health dangers. First, it’s
dehydrating and alcohol makes it more difficult for the body to tell
how cold it is.
Clear snow carefully. Once the blizzard or snowstorm ended,
make sure to dress properly before you start taking the snow out.
You should stay hydrated and take frequent breaks to make sure
your body is warm enough.

COLD SAFETY TIPS

We recommend people to stay inside during a storm. To stay safe during this dangerous
weather, follow these steps:

 Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm.

 Be extremely careful if you have to shovel snow. Take frequent breaks and stay
hydrated.
 Watch for hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia symptoms include confusion,
dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Frostbite symptoms include numbness,
flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, or waxy feeling skin.
 Don’t forget your pets – bring them indoors. If they can’t come inside, make sure
they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen
water.