Winter Weather Safety

Winter storms create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion. Winter storms including blizzards can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, snow, ice, and high winds.

A winter storm can last a few hours, cut off heat, power, and communication services, and put older adults, children, sick individuals, and pets at greater risk.

If you are under a winter storm warning, find shelter right away!

Tips to stay safe during winter weather:

• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows and never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven. Using an oven or stovetop can also increase the risk of fires and burns and could damage the appliance.
• Stay off roads, if at all possible. If trapped in your car, then stay inside.
• Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, then wear layers of warm clothing. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
• Reduce the risk of a heart attack by avoiding overexertion when shoveling snow and walking in the snow.
• Learn the signs of, and basic treatments for, frostbite and hypothermia:
  • Frostbite causes loss of feeling and color around the face, fingers, and toes.
    • Signs: Numbness, white or grayish yellow skin, form or waxy skin.
    • Actions: Go to a warm room. Soak in warm water. Use body heat to warm. Do not massage or use a heating pad.
  • Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature. A temperature below 95 degrees is an emergency:
    • Signs: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, or drowsiness.
    • Actions: Go to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first (chest, neck, head, and groin). Keep dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck.

For more information on winter weather safety, please visit Ready.gov or our Extreme Cold Page.