8 Expert Tips for Staying Safe in a Blizzard
Subzero temperatures , far-flung power outage , and travel disruption from mussy road and set off flights — when blizzards and snowstorms strike , they can be downright life-threatening .
And it ’s that time of year again : Old Man Winter is on our doorstep , hit much of America with an Arctic flack . Almost 80 percentage of the United States will experience subfreezing temperatures over the grade of the next workweek , according toCNN . This winter may even turn out to be one of the cold “ outbreaks ” of Arctic gentle wind in a turn of years , AccuWeatherreports . Because of the frozen temperatures , NBC Newsnotes that authorities are discourage the great unwashed to stay inside and journey with caution ( even note that at least seven masses have died because of the cold experimental condition ) . On top of that , CNN warned that severe windchill could guide to frostbite in exhibit skin in just a few minutes ( and potentially hypothermia after that ) .
So , get into your cosy pajama and get your hot hot chocolate quick — and scan up on what you call for to do to stay good . This Arctic blast may sink midweek , but another one is come a few day from now , according to NBC News .
Don’t ignore chest pain, back pain, or shortness of breath when shoveling snow.
Amid word of advice of ongoing serious weather , it ’s important to prepare yourself , your family , and your home for the next winter tempest .
Indeed , the headstone to safely surviving a snowstorm is just that : provision , saysThomas Waters , MD , an exigency and sports medicine doc and the medical director of the emergency section at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio .
“ When temperatures get cold , they put us at risk for illnesses and conditions like hypothermia and frostbite [ and ] erupt bones from slippery roadstead . Some people think being educate is going overboard or being too cautious , but if the time comes when the heat goes out in the centre of a snowstorm , you ’ll have a contingence plan , ” he says .
Don’t ignore chest pain, back pain, or shortness of breath when shoveling snow.
If knotty winter weather is head your fashion ( or is already there ) , here are eight way to stay dependable , warm , and dry during this — and future — Arctic blasts , wintertime blizzard , and blizzards .
1. Prepare an Emergency Medicine Bag
mean of the family members in your household and which medications they involve . Make certain you have them stock and on hand in causa of an emergency . This could let in drug to treat chronic conditions , such as asthma , eminent blood line pressure , or diabetes , Dr. Waters says . aspire to have enough medication to last for about three day in cause you ’re hoodwink in and ca n’t get to the pharmacy for a refill .
It ’s also overbold to refill your emergency outfit with over - the - parry medicine like acetaminophen ( Tylenol ) , ibuprofen ( Advil ) , and Benadryl . Make certain your first - assist kit is to the full stocked with Band - Aids , a torch , ibuprofen , acetaminophen , antibioticointments for stinger and wound , a survival knife , matches , candles , extra cash , chargers , eminent - kilocalorie snacks , and blankets , saysNandita Ganne , DO , a family medicine physician at Allina Health in Hastings , Minnesota .
2. Stock Up on Food and Water
Do n’t rely on GrubHub to send away off your favorite luncheon during bad weather condition . Plan ahead and go to the grocery store the 24-hour interval before an hoped-for storm to pick up bottled water , nonperishable items , and pantry raw material like bread , crackers , peanut butter , lead mix , and cereals .
If you lose accelerator or electricity and do n’t have access to your stove or microwave , you ’ll know you could still whip up meal with beans , tuna , and give the axe veg . ( Chocolatecounts as an emergency staple , too ! )
Pick up enough food for thought and bottled urine to last for at least four days , accounting for each family member in your home , include relatives who may be ride out the violent storm with you , says Tracy Fox , a spokesperson for the American Red Cross .
Do n’t forget favorite intellectual nourishment !
3. Stay Up-to-Date on Winter Storm Warnings
give attention to severe weather consultatory alerts on your phone , per theNational Weather Service , and stay put tuned to your local intelligence so you ’re cognizant of additional winter tempest or blizzard updates . apply this information to plan your day and resolve whether it ’s safe to travel . While you may have an easy clip getting to work , the commute back may be wily as conditions conditions decline .
Fox suggests listening for key musical phrase , such as " winter violent storm advisory , " " winter storm watch , " and " wintertime storm warning . " As with any type of weather alert , an advisory imply you should be aware of wild weather condition to fall , while a watch means you should take the steps to be prepared for hazardous weather condition . A warning means the terror is impendent and immediate action is postulate .
The Red Cross has an hand brake app you’re able to download for free onGoogle Playif you ’re an Android user or on theApp Storeif you have an iPhone . Once you set your neighborhood , it ’ll send you real - time alerting about snowstorms , tornados , flooding , and other uttermost weather events . you could also use the app to check on loved one and notify them that you ’re good . Check local governance websites for update , too . Get together with your house to talk through your rash refuge plan so everyone ’s aware of where to meet if family penis get separated , and check that everyone has a copy of emergency contact .
4. Watch for Potential Signs of Frostbite
Staying fond indoors is your good bet to ride out a blizzard , but if you must go outside , dress properly , even if it ’s just to reset the driveway . pee recommends a trio of layers : the first to draw lather ( such as cotton ) , the 2nd to act as insulation ( such as woolen ) , and the last to seal out cold temperatures ( nylon or polyester ) . Ideally , the last bed is waterproof and windproof . This strategy traps heat between the layer , gives you the option to remove a stratum in case of overheating , and protect your trunk from dampness , either from the weather or from sweat .
Bundle up with a lid , a scarf joint , boxing glove , and thick socks and boot to protect your ear , nose , fingers , and toes — it ’s these voice of the torso that are most vulnerable to frostbite , along with your cheeks and Kuki-Chin , according toJohns Hopkins Medicine .
H2O suppose your extremity may turn pale , puritanic , purplish , or discolored , which is a house that frostbite is lay in , theMayo Clinicalso notes . Dr. Ganne points to other warning sign , such as pain , numbness , or a prickling in your mitt and finger , skin that looks hard or waxy , or awkwardness because yours articulatio and muscle are stiff . In severe case , your skin may start blistering after you ’re back in a warm surround , she says , andCleveland Clinicconcurs .
If these symptoms get going cropping up , get at bottom instantly or seek emergency aesculapian attention . you’re able to also seek to warm the affected areas with lukewarm ( not hot ) water , although theNational Health Service ( NHS)recommends that ideally rewarming should be done under medical oversight .
5. Look Out for Symptoms of Hypothermia
If the body ’s nucleus temperature drop below 95 degrees degree Fahrenheit , hypothermia could set up in . It means your body is drop off heat faster than it can produce it , get a “ dangerously low ” body temperature , Ganne enjoin .
When your body temperature put down , your spirit , nervous system , and other organs ca n’t work out decently , she admonish . The condition is marked by symptoms like shivering , blur speech , irksome , shallow breathing , a weak pulse , and drowsiness , confusion , ormemory passing , harmonise to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) . Keep in brain that small fry and the aged are most susceptible to hypothermia . If symptom start to look , it ’s time to try medical attending . Move the somebody out of the frigid , take wet clothing , and keep them warm and insulated while monitoring their breathing , Ganne says .
6. Get Your Car Ready for Winter Weather Emergencies
Each class , get your railcar quick for the time of year with the appropriate wintertime tyre , and ensure a mechanic checks out your battery , lighting organisation , flashing hazard luminance , windshield wipers , heater , and brakes .
Waters say he often see patients who were running errand near home plate only to get stuck on a highway berm for hours because of a broken - down fomite in snowy weather condition . He urge keeping supererogatory sweaters , a warm jacket , a hat , gloves and a cover in your proboscis in caseful you ’re stranded waiting for parking brake wayside aid .
Stash guts or pussy litter in the trunk , too . you may use it to generate traction under the wheels or to make paseo or step less slippy .
7. Prepare for a Power Outage
wintertime storm can play mayhem on power lines , so it ’s wise to prepare your home in case you lose power during a blizzard . Make certain you have torch , batteries , candles , a portable phone charger , and plenty of blankets and lovesome clothes on hired hand for the total home . If you ’re using a generator , ensure it ’s outside the menage , and keep inside bullet on flat airfoil off from blankets and carpets , Fox suppose .
She advises all households to turn up the nearest warming protection in their neck of the woods beforehand of the storm . “ If it gets to a point where it ’s too cold in your household , you ’ll know exactly where to go and you wo n’t be throw together , ” Fox says .
8. Clear Snow Carefully
Eventually , of class , you ’ll have to come out of hibernation . Once the storm break , layer up properly before you start shovel or blowing snow . If you ’re shovel , remember it ’s a strenuous and potentially hazardous activity , and take care of your back . According to onereport , there are about 11,500 blow shoveling – related injuries process each year in the United States . Avoid shovel if it causesback infliction , breast pain , orshortness of hint , Ganne allege . If a Charles Percy Snow electric fan is your preferable tool , ensure to power it up only outdoors , break hearing protection , and keep kids and loose article of clothing out of range , asConsumer Reportsnotes .
retrieve to stay hydrous , take frequent breaks , and bend at the stifle if you ’re doing heavy lifting .
Additional reporting bySusan E. Matthews .
Grant Chu , MD , is an assistant clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine atUCLA . Dr. Chu is also the associate theatre director of education at the UCLA Center for East - West Medicine , using engineering to further aesculapian education .
He is board - certified in internal music by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a diplomate of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine . He receive a bachelor-at-arms ’s degree in neuroscience from Brown University , where he also earn his aesculapian degree . He has a master ’s in stylostixis and oriental medicine from South Baylo University and a original ’s in business sector administration from the University of Illinois . He fill out his residency in internal medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles and a fellowship at the Center for East - West Medicine at UCLA.He has held academic appointments at the University of California in Irvine and the University of Queensland in Australia .
Carmen Chai is a Canadian diary keeper and accolade - winning health reporter . Her sake admit come forth medical enquiry , exercise , nutrition , mental health , and enatic and paediatric health . She has covered globose health care issues , admit irruption of the Ebola and Zika virus , anti - vaccination movements , and chronic disease like obesity and Alzheimer’s . Chai was a national wellness reporter at Global News in Toronto for 5 years , where she won multiple honour , including the Canadian Medical Association accolade for wellness coverage . Her work has also appear in theToronto Star , Vancouver Province , and theNational Post . She received a bachelor-at-arms ’s degree in journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto .
ego - Care
11 Expert Tips to Stay Happy and Healthy This Winter
Cold & Flu
Flu Cases Are Soaring in Most of the U.S.
wearing apparel
From Cozy Leggings to Reflective Gear, I Tested The Best Cold Weather Running Gear of 2025
Coronavirus
You Just Got COVID: Now What?
Healthy Living
Why Am I Always Cold? 8 Possible Reasons
Coronary Heart Disease
Hot Days Can Raise Body Temperature and Strain the Heart
Fitness
Cold Weather Workouts: What to Wear and When You’re Better Off Staying Inside
Heart Attack
Shoveling Snow Can Put a Strain on Your Heart
Why Heart Attacks Spike During the Holidays
Is It Time to Start Wearing a Mask Again?
