Winter Safety

Top 10

DOs and DON'Ts

of Winter Safety

      The New England winter poses danger to most everyone.  Exposure to cold can , overtime, cause frostbite, hypothermia and, eventually, death.  Infants and the elderly are particularly susceptible to these dangers. Cold weather puts an added strain on the heart.  Shoveling or other strenuous activities can prove deadly, particularly for people who do no exercise regularly.

    Everyone should deep travel to minimum during the winter, especially during storms.  Prepare an emergency kit and keep it in your vehicle at all times.  Your kit should contain blankets, high energy food, such as dried fruits or candy, and food that will not spoil or require cooking.  You should also keep several containers of water.  (Small, plastic spring water bottles are perfect).   A portable radio, flashlight, shovel, first aid kit and batteries complete the kit.   Try to carry a cellular phone with you , as it might be the only means of communications available.

    At home, you should also prepare for winter's arrival.   Have all heating units serviced and ensure that the venting systems are functioning properly.  Check and make sure that smoke and CO detectors are properly functioning.   Prepare a home emergency kit similar to the one in the car.  When going outside wear multiple layers of loose-fitting, light-weight clothing and remove layers as needed to avoid perspiration and the resulting chills.  Make sure to cover all exposed skin and to wear a hat.

    If at anytime you feel you are in danger of if you need medical attention due to cold exposure do not hesitate to call 911 for help.

DO:

Eat and drink regularly to prevent dehydration and to maintain body temperature.

Keep in contact with friends or neighbors if you live alone.

Have your heating system serviced by a licensed technician prior to the start of the heating season.

Have your chimney checked and cleaned prior to the heating season if you use a wood-burning stove.

Have your automobile winterized prior to the start of the season.

Keep pets indoors and protect them from the cold.

Ensure that your smoke and CO detectors are working properly.

Prepare emergency survival kits for your home and automobile.

Keep driveway, walkways and steps clear of snow and ice to prevent falls.  If you have a fire hydrant on you property make sure it is shoveled out and clearly visible.

Watch weather reports on a regular basis.

 

DON'T

EVER heat your home with the oven or range burners.

Touch electrical wires that may have fallen during a storm.

Leave a burning fire in the fireplace or wood stove unattended.

Use any camping heaters or appliances unless you are in a well-ventilated area.

Use gasoline or any other starting fluid to light a fire.

Assume that you are in perfect health.  If you feel ill, DO call for help immediately.

Drink alcohol to warm you up, as this will lower you body temperature.

Shovel snow if you are elderly.  Hire a professional snow remover or call a neighbor of relative for help.

Travel by car during a storm unless it is absolutely necessary, and then do it with extreme care.

Don't assume you battery-powered devices are in working order.

If you would like a copy of the Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts of Winter Safety,  free of charge, stop by Fire Headquarters, 11 Broadway, during normal business hours.

Sources:

• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
• First Alert

The Top 10 DOs and DONTs of Winter Safety is Copyright 1997 by Message Management.  Anyone interested in obtaining information on distributing this brochure by their organization may do so by contacting The North Haven Professional Firefighters Association.