More Winter Survival Tips

“I like these cold, gray winter days. Days like these let you savor a bad mood.”
- Bill Watterson, author of Calvin & Hobbes

I've written earlier about the importance of staying informed, see Red Cross - Be Informed. But it's not easy. Did you know that the week of October 26th to November 1st was Winter Weather Awareness Week in the Empire State of NY? I didn't.

One site that did pay homage to the event was StormWatch 8 Weather which published several valuable articles on Winter Survival. Here are my recommendations ...

• Stay home during major winter storms. If you've prepared yourself, you'll be able to ride out the storm with your home supplies and alternative means to stay warm.
• Plan for several days of snow blocked roads. Keep a three day supply of non perishable food which does not require cooking or refrigeration. Have an old fashion, non-electric can opener that you can use (some manual can openers are near impossible to use right). Store one gallon of water per person for at least three days.
• Renew your medications at least three days before they run out. You don't want to run out of medication when the pharmacy is closed by a snow emergency.
• Have lots of extra batteries. If you lose power you'll need them for your portable radio, NOAA weather radio and flashlights.
• If you lose power you will probably lose your primary source of heat as well. Do you have a fireplace or wood stove? Has it been inspected and cleaned and is in a safe condition to use? Each winter people die from Carbon Monoxide poison trying to keep warm with a malfunctioning heat source.
• If you must go outdoors wear several layers of warm, loose fitting clothing and a hat. The layers trap body heat better than one heavy layer. Layers can also be taken off to avoid becoming too warm. You don't want to sweat - water and cold are a dangerous combination. Likewise your outer most layer should be water repellent to keep melting snow away from your body.
• Beware of the winter health risks: Frostbite, Hypothermia, and Heart Attack. Cold weather puts an added strain on the heart so unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack. My wife knew someone who died while shoveling his driveway.
• In extreme cold, mittens protect better than gloves. In a mitten the fingers share body heat from your hand. In a glove each finger stands alone.

Bottom Line

Winter storms are dangerous and potentially fatal. It's worth taking a sick day or vacation day to avoid icy accidents on the road. Is a day of work worth your life?

Here are some facts from Wisconsin’s Winter Awareness Week (Nov 10-14):

• There are around 17,000 vehicle accidents in Wisconsin during winter months when roads are covered with ice, snow or slush.
• About 75 people are killed and 7,000 people are injured each winter season in Wisconsin accidents when roads are ice, snow or slush covered.
• Many crashes are caused by “driving too fast for current conditions.” When the first blast of winter arrives, motorists often need to “re-learn” how to drive in slippery conditions.

For lots of winter prep details, check at the CDC Winter page, http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/

Update 11/20/08

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 is Winter Weather Awareness Day in Kansas