Can I go outside to get to work?
What if I really need to go outside for something?
What do I do if I have to evacuate?
Can I use my oven or stove top to keep warm?
What should I avoid in order to keep safe?
- Stay indoors at all times. Although you might want to head outside and get somewhere such as work, it is safer to just stay in your home until the blizzard is over. Driving can be extremely dangerous. The roads are iced and there's snow everywhere, you don't want to risk it, so try remaining inside.
What if I really need to go outside for something?
- If you do go outside by walking or try to clear your driveway from snow, layer up on clothing. A doctor named Dr. Glatter suggests at least three layers of clothing to be safe. Even if you wear one layer of extremely warm clothing, it could soon be useless if it gets wet with sweat, which only reduces heat for your body, so to be safe, at least wear three layers of clothing in minimal.
What do I do if I have to evacuate?
- Check the forecast for updates on the weather and always be informed just in case. You never know if the blizzard could get better or just get even worse, and you'll want to be prepared.
- Gather your family and check to see if you have any neighbors that need assistance before choosing a shelter. Try to find one with little to no windows, and be sure to have plenty of water, food, clothes and a first aid kit in case of emergency. You might want to have a radio to hear weather updates, and make sure to layer up on clothing.
Can I use my oven or stove top to keep warm?
- When there is no heat, avoid using stove tops or ovens. The gas in the stove could rise up and cause hallucinations, and if the oven was a gas oven, it could explode or cause a fire because of how much gas is in the air.
What should I avoid in order to keep safe?
- Try not to go outside in the cold and remain inside.
- If you do go outside, don't wear just one heavy layer of clothing, try at least three to absorb sweat, keep you warm, and help keep the cold out.
- When you try to go outside, don't warm your car up in the garage and wait for it to get nice and warm because the gas that the car releases could fill up the space and can replace your oxygen with carbon monoxide.
- Don't drink alcoholic drinks. It only dehydrates you, and makes it hard for your body to know if it's the right temperature because you're practically numb from the alcohol or beer. This makes it dangerous for your health, especially when it's freezing cold outside. Try to keep yourself away from drinking.
CITATIONS:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-living/ways-to-stay-safe-in-a-blizzard-4437.aspx
https://eo.ucar.edu/kids/dangerwx/blizzard5.htm
http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/svrstrms-wtd/index-en.aspx
http://www.medicaldaily.com/winter-storm-nemo-how-prepare-top-5-things-not-do-blizzard-244436
http://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-living/ways-to-stay-safe-in-a-blizzard-4437.aspx
https://eo.ucar.edu/kids/dangerwx/blizzard5.htm
http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/svrstrms-wtd/index-en.aspx
http://www.medicaldaily.com/winter-storm-nemo-how-prepare-top-5-things-not-do-blizzard-244436