WINTER STORMS
PREPARDNESS and ADVISE
Ocean City Maryland

WINTER DRIVNG AND TRAVEL ADVICE

WINTER STORM WARNINGS
FACTS
A major winter storm can be lethal. Preparing for cold weather conditions and responding to them effectively can reduce the dangers caused by winter storms. Be familiar with winter storm warning messages.

WINTER STORMS PREPARATIONS
for Ocean City Maryland
Home Preparation
Snow Removal
Service snow removal equipment and have rock salt on hand to melt ice on walkways and kitty litter to generate temporary traction.

Home Heating
Make sure you have sufficient heating fuel; regular fuel sources may be cut off. Winterize your home. Insulate walls and attic. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows. Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside. Emergency Heat
Install and check smoke detectors.
Install and check smoke detectors.
Have safe emergency heating equipment available.
 Fireplace with ample supply of wood,
 Small, well-vented wood, coal, or camp stove with fuel
 Portable space heaters or kerosene heaters
Kerosene Heaters
Check with your local fire department on the legality of using kerosene heaters in your community. Use only the correct fuel for your unit and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Refuel outdoors only, and only when cool. Keep your kerosene heater at least 3 feet away from furniture and other flammable objects.

Freezing Pipes, water, plumbing.
 Keep pipes from freezing. n Wrap pipes in insulation or layers of old newspapers. n Cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture.
 Let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing.
 Know how to shut off water valves.

 Install and check smoke detectors.
Install and check smoke detectors.
 Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on winter storms.

Power Outages, backup, preparation.
 Have disaster supplies on hand, in case the power goes out.
 Flashlight and extra batteries
 Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
 First aid kit
 One-week supply of food (include items that do not require refrigera-tion or cooking in case the power is shut off)
 Nonelectric can opener
 One-week supply of essential prescription medications
 Extra blankets and sleeping bags
 Fire extinguisher (A-B-C type)
 Flashlights with extra batteries
 First aid kit with pocket knife
 Necessary medications
 Several blankets
 Sleeping bags
 Extra newspapers for insulation
 Plastic bags (for sanitation)
 Matches
 Extra set of mittens, socks, and a wool cap
 Rain gear
 Small sack of sand
 Small shovel
 Small tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)
 Cards, games, and puzzles
 Brightly colored cloth to use as a flag
 Canned fruit and nuts
 Nonelectric can opener
 Bottled water
 Develop an emergency communication plan.
In case family members are separated from one another during a winter storm (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the “family contact.”
After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance.
Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person. Make sure that all family mem-bers know how to respond after a severe winter storm.

Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire depart-ment, and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.


Install and check smoke detectors.
Install and check smoke detectors.
 Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on winter storms.

IF TRAPPED INDOORS DURING A BLIZZARD

Stay indoors and dress warmly. Conserve fuel. Lower the thermostat to 65 degrees during the day and 55 degrees at night. Close off unused rooms.

If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspa-pers and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold (or where the cold was most likely to penetrate). Listen to the radio or television to get the latest storm information.

IF TRAPPED OUTDOORS DURING A BLIZZARD

Dress warmly.
Wear loose-fitting, layered, light-weight clothing. Layers can be removed to prevent perspiration and chill. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repel-lent. Mittens are warmer than gloves because fingers generate warmth when they touch each other.
Stretch before you go out.
If you go out to shovel snow, do a few stretching exercises to warm up your body. Also, take frequent breaks.
Cover your mouth.
Protect your lungs from extremely cold air by covering your mouth when outdoors. Try not to speak unless absolutely necessary.
Avoid overexertion.
Cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse. Be aware of symptoms of dehydration. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
Keep dry.
Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly. Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assis-tance — infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities.

Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
Do minor exercises to keep up circulation. Clap hands and move arms and legs occasionally. Try not to stay in one position for too long. If more than one person is in the car, take turns sleeping. For warmth, huddle together. Use newspapers, maps, and even the removable car mats for added insulation.

Avoid overexertion.
Cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make other medi-cal conditions worse. Be aware of symptoms of dehydration.

EMERGENCY PUBLIC INFORMATION

Winter Storm Watches and Warnings
A winter storm watch indicates that severe winter weather may affect your area. A winter storm warning indicates that severe winter weather conditions are definitely on the way. A blizzard warning means that large amounts of falling or blowing snow and sustained winds of at least 35 miles per hour are expected for several hours.

Wind Chill
“Wind chill” is a calculation of how cold it feels outside when the effects of temperature and wind speed are combined. A strong wind combined with a temperature of just below freezing can have the same effect as a still air temperature about 35 degrees colder. HYPOTHERMIA
Hypothermia is a condition brought on when the body temperature drops to less than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, frequent stumbling, drowsiness, and exhaustion.
FROSTBITE
Frostbite is a severe reaction to cold exposure that can permanently damage its victims. A loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, or nose and ear lobes are symptoms of frostbite.

If frostbite or hypothermia is suspected, begin warming the person slowly and seek immediate medical assistance. Warm the person’s trunk first. Use your own body heat to help. Arms and legs should be warmed last because stimulation of the limbs can drive cold blood toward the heart and lead to heart failure. Put person in dry clothing and wrap their entire body in a blanket. Never give a frostbite or hypothermia victim something with caffeine in it (like coffee or tea) or alcohol. Caffeine, a stimulant, can cause the heart to beat faster and hasten the effects the cold has on the body. Alcohol, a depressant, can slow the heart and also hasten the ill effects of cold body temperatures.

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