Winter Weather Safety Tips (Click Here (to page link))
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
1. Winter Weather Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/faq.asp
2. Extreme Cold Guide
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/guide.asp
3. Stay Safe and Healthy - Winter
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/index.asp
a. Hypothermia
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/hypothermia.asp
b. Frostbite
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/frostbite.asp
4. Preparing Before a Winter Storm
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/beforestorm/index.asp
5. Prepare your home for winter
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/beforestorm/preparehome.asp
6. Prepare Your Car for winter
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/beforestorm/preparecar.asp
7. Winter Weather Checklists
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/beforestorm/supplylists.asp
8. During a Storm
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/duringstorm/index.asp
a. Indoor Safety
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/duringstorm/indoorsafety.asp
b. Outdoor Safety
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/duringstorm/outdoorsafety.asp
9. After a Winter Storm
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/afterstorm/index.asp
a. Returning Home After a Winter Storm Storm
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/afterstorm/returnhome.asp
b. Clean Up After a Winter Storm
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/afterstorm/cleanup.asp
COLD STRESS
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (See Attached
File)
American Red Cross Winter Safety Tips
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/winter-storm
Winter Weather Terms
Winter Storm Outlook - Winter storm conditions are possible in the next 2 to 5 days.
Winter Weather Advisory - Winter weather conditions are expected to cause
significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. When caution is used, these
situations should not be life threatening. Expect winter weather condition (e.g.,
accumulation of snow, freezing rain, and sleet) that could cause severe inconvenience
and life-threatening hazards.
Winter Storm Watch - Winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48
hours. People in a watch area should review their winter storm plans and stay informed
about weather conditions.
Winter Storm Warning - Life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will
begin within 24 hours. People in a warning area should take precautions immediately.
Take action; the storm is in or entering the area.
Winter Storm Warning: Blizzard Warning - Seek refuge immediately! Snow and
strong winds, near-zero visibility, deep snow drifts, and life-threatening wind chill.
Frost/Freeze Warning - Expect below-freezing temperatures.
Protecting Children in Winter Weather - American Academy of Peiatrics (AAP)
Dressing Children for Winter
 Newborn babies need to be protected from the elements. Dress them in several
layers of light clothing to keep them warm. Avoid overheating.
 The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more
layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same situation.
 Blankets, quilts, pillows, sheepskins and other loose bedding may contribute to
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and should be kept out of an infant's
sleeping environment. Warm footed pajamas are preferred.
 If a blanket must be used to keep a sleeping infant warm, it should be tucked in
around the crib mattress so the infant's face is less likely to become covered by
bedding.
Hypothermia
 Hypothermia develops when a child's temperature falls below normal due to
exposure to cold. It often happens when a youngster is playing outdoors in
extremely cold weather without wearing proper clothing.
 As hypothermia sets in, the child may shiver and become lethargic and clumsy. His
speech may become slurred and his body temperature will decline.
 If you suspect your child is hypothermic, call 911 at once. Until help arrives, take the
child indoors, remove any wet clothing, and wrap him in blankets or warm clothes.
Frostbite
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Frostbite happens when the skin and outer tissues become frozen.
This condition tends to happen on extremities like the fingers, toes, ears, and nose.
They may become pale, gray and blistered. At the same time, the child may
complain that her skin burns or has become numb.
Bring the child indoors, where you should place the frostbitten parts of her body in
warm (not hot) water. Warm washcloths may be applied to frostbitten nose, ears
and lips.
Do not rub the frozen areas.
After a few minutes, dry and cover her with clothing or blankets. Give her something
warm to drink.
If the numbness continues for more than a few minutes, call your doctor.
Winter Health
 If your child suffers from winter nosebleeds, try using a cold air humidifier in the
child's room at night. Saline nose drops may help to keep tissues moist. If bleeding
is severe or recurrent, consult your pediatrician.
 Many pediatricians feel that bathing two or three times a week is enough for an
infant. More frequent baths may dry out the skin, especially during the winter.
 Cold weather does not cause colds or flu. But the viruses that cause colds and flu
tend to be more prevalent in the winter, when children are in school and are in
closer contact with each other. Frequent hand-washing and teaching your child to
sneeze or cough into their elbow and away from others may help reduce the risk of
colds and flu.
 Children between the ages of 6 and 23 months are encouraged to get an influenza
vaccine to reduce their risk of getting the flu.
N
What is windchill temperature?
The windchill temperature is how cold people and animals feel when outside. Windchill
is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by wind and cold. As the
wind increases, it draws heat from the body, driving down skin temperature and
eventually the internal body temperature. Therefore, the wind makes it FEEL much
colder. If the temperature is 0 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind is blowing at 15 mph,
the windchill is -19 degrees Fahrenheit. At this windchill temperature, exposed skin can
freeze in 30 minutes.
With the current air temperature and wind speed you can figure out if there is a windchill
temperature today. Click on Here (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter/windchill.shtml)
or use the NWS Windchill Chart.