Public Health

Winter weather – staying safe in cold weather

• During the wintertime, avoid excess time outside as much as possible. If you need to go outside, then wear comfortable multiple layers of warm clothing and watch out for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

Cold Related illness – learn to see the signs

• Frostbite causes loss of feeling and color around the face, fingers and toes.
  1. Signs: White or grayish-yellow skin, firm or waxy skin.
  2. Actions to take: Warm up! Soak in warm water. Use body heat to warm. Do not massage or use a heating pad.
• Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature. A temperature below 95 degrees is an emergency.
  1. Signs: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness.
  2. Actions to take: Go to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head and groin. Keep dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck.
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that kills without warning. CO fumes are produced anytime fuel is burned in cars, trucks, Lanterns, stoves and portables generators. It claims hundreds of lives each year and leaves thousands more seriously ill.
  1. Signs: Headaches, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion – often described as flu-like symptoms.
  2. Actions to take: Install a CO detector near sleeping areas and replace battery when needed, do routine maintained by a certified technician on your heating system, check or clean your chimney every year, never operate a generator inside your home or garage, and never run your car or truck inside your garage.

Winter weather

Winter weather, including snow, sleet, and ice, can create hazardous driving conditions. In 2022, there were 498 fatal crashes and approximately 32,213 injury crashes that occurred during snowy or sleety conditions. Properly preparing yourself and your vehicle for winter weather is essential for staying safe on the road.

• Here are some tips to help you prepare for winter driving:
  1. Slow down – It’s harder to control or stop a vehicle on a slick or snow-covered road. If you are driving to work or school, you may need to leave earlier to make up the time for dangerous driving conditions.
  2. Tires – As temperatures drops, so does tire pressure. Make sure each tire is filled with the appropriate manufacturer pressure. Also make sure to check on tire damage and age, since some tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires every 6 years regardless of usage
  3. Car battery – Make sure your car batter can withstand the cold temperature by getting it checked your mechanic or local auto store frequently.
  4. Prepare your vehicle – Make sure that your vehicle lights work such as break and headlights, etc., your windshield wipers are working effectively, and your vehicle reservoir is full of “winter” de-icer before winter hits.

Other Recommendations

Other recommendations to keep in general during the cold winter season is to keep essential items in your vehicle to tackle common winter driving challenges and be prepared for emergencies.

• These should include
  1. Snow shovel, broom and ice-scraper
  2. Sand or kitty litter to provide traction in case you get stuck in snow.
  3. Jumper cables, flashlight and emergency warming devices, blankets and a cell phone charger
  4. Anything else that might be needed during an emergency.
  5. Make sure your vehicle has an full tank or charge whenever possible.

For more information

• Please go   https://www.nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips.

Know your National Weather Service terminology and what they mean!

• Winter Storm Warnings – Issued when hazardous winter weather in the form of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is imminent or occurring. Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin.
• Winter Storm Watches – Alerts the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet. Winter Storm Watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours before the beginning of a Winter Storm.
• Winter Storm Advisories – Issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and sleet which will cause significant inconveniences and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.