American Red Cross
Mid-Missouri Chapter
1805 West Worley St.
Columbia, MO 65203
573-445-9411 (phone)
800-359-8829
573-446-4247 (fax)

 


‘Tis the Season for Winter Weather

The American Red Cross offers Winter Storm Safety Tips

December 7, 2007 -- With the potential for additional severe winter weather this weekend and into next week, the American Red Cross is reminding mid-Missourians to take steps to be better prepared for severe winter weather. 

Mike Odneal, executive director of the Mid-Missouri Chapter in Columbia offers these winter storm preparation suggestions:

Gather several disaster supplies for your home, including:
•    3-day supply of water (1 gallon of water per person per day for drinking and hygiene)
•    3-day supply of non-perishable, high-energy food and a manual can-opener
•    First Aid kit and essential medications
•    Battery powered or hand-cranked radio
•    Flashlight and extra batteries
•    Extra Warm Clothing, including boots, mittens and a hat
•    Copies of important documents (birth certificates title/deed to home, insurance policies, etc.) in a water-proof container

Gather a disaster supplies kit for your vehicle -- including all the above, plus the following:
•    Blankets or sleeping bags
•    Jumper cables
•    Fire extinguisher (5 lb A-B-C type)
•    Compass and road map
•    Shovel
•    Tire repair kit and pump
•    Flares
•    Extra Clothing to keep dry
•    Sack of sand or cat litter (for traction)

Make a Winter Storm Plan
•    Be prepared to shelter at home in case of severe weather.  Have additional food and water stored to last seven to fourteen days.
•    Have extra blankets on hand
•    Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, a hat and water-resistant boots
•    Assemble a disaster supplies kit for your home and vehicle
•    Have your vehicle winterized before the weather gets severe
•    Decide how you would communicate with your family members should you be separated and unable to travel when a winter storm hits

Be Informed
•    Learn how you would receive information from local officials should hazardous winter weather affect your area
•    Know the difference between a winter storm WATCH (a winter storm is possible in your area) and a winter storm WARNING (a winter storm is headed for your area)
•    Consider getting first aid and CPR training in case you need to respond in an emergency before professionals arrive on the scene)

If the Power Goes Out:
•    Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. USE FLASHLIGHTS ONLY.
•    Use items in the refrigerator first, then the freezer, then non-perishable foods.
•    Use generators correctly – If you have a portable generator and power goes out, ALWAYS KEEP THE GENERATOR OUTDOORS!  NEVER operate it inside, including the basement, garage, carport or near any open windows.  Connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.  Do not hook up the generator directly to your home’s wiring.

Hazardous Winter Travel
The American Red Cross strongly urges everyone to monitor weather reports and follow the directions of the local authorities.  If at all possible, stay home and off the roads.  If travel is absolutely necessary during dangerous winter weather, inform someone of your travel route, destination and expected arrival time.  Store disaster supply kits in your vehicle and remember to keep the gas tank near full to avoid ice building up in the gas tank and fuel lines.

In case of snow or black Ice:
•    Stay with your vehicle.  Do not try to walk to safety as you risk developing hypothermia and or frostbite.
•    Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to antenna for rescuers to see.
•    Start the vehicle and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour.  Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won’t back up in the vehicle.
•    As you sit, move your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to help keep warm.
•    Keep one window away for the blowing wind slightly opened to let air in.
•    Leave the overhead light on inside the vehicle when the engine is running so you can be seen.
•    After the snow has stopped falling, raise the hood to indicate you need help.

“The best thing you can do for your family is to be prepared before the winter weather strikes,” said Odneal. “Use common sense -- be safe and prepared during winter weather. And if at all possible, just stay home and stay warm.”

For more information about disaster preparedness and variety of other Red Cross services, call the Mid-Missouri Chapter at (800) 359-8829.

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The Mid-Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross serves the residents of 7 mid-Missouri counties: Boone, Carroll, Chariton, Cooper, Howard, Randolph and Saline.

The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.