Although the dangers of winter weather varies from state to state, at some point or another, all Americans are likely to encounter some sort of severe winter weather throughout their lives.  Having a few emergency supplies on-hand can save you a lot of discomfort and trouble when the storm hits. I’m sure you’ve already put together your winter storm preparedness kit, so here are a few tips for staying safe indoors during a winter storm!

General Safety Tips:

• Frequently listen to the radio or check The Weather Channel and weather.com for weather updates and emergency information.
• Eat regularly and drink plenty of water, but avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Instead, drink warm, sweet beverages, or try soups or broths.
• If you experience a power failure, use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns instead of candles whenever possible.
• If using candles is your only option, never leave them unattended when lit.
• Use bottled water if instructed by your local emergency management authorities.

Staying Warm:

• Use extreme caution with electric space heaters. Keep them at least a few feet away from anything flammable, such as drapes, bed sheets or blankets. Never place them on top of furniture or near water, and never let children play unattended around them.
• Keep a fire extinguisher close by the area in which you plan to use a space heater or kerosene heater.
• If you are using your fireplace, wood stove or other similar heater make sure it is properly ventilated and does not leak gas into your home’s indoor air space.
• Wear warm clothing in multiple layers as needed.
• Infants younger than a year old lose body heat more easily than adults, so make sure to dress them in warm clothing and keep your home as warm as possible during winter storms and be sure to monitor their body temperature.
• For adults age 65 and over, maintaining body heat during severe cold can be a concern, thanks to their lower metabolism. Check the temperature in your home often during a winter storm, and check in frequently with older friends and neighbors to ensure they stay warm.

Keeping the Amenities Working Properly:

• If you lose power and are using an electric generator, make sure you keep it outdoors.
• Try to prevent your pipes from freezing by opening cabinet doors around the pipes to allow warmer air to circulate around water pipes.
• If you are not using a particular room, temporarily close them off to try to conserve heat and fuel.
• If your pipes have already frozen, use a hair dryer to slowly thaw them out. Never try to unfreeze the pipes by using a torch or other flame.
• During severely cold weather, drip all faucets in your home continuously, including kitchen and bathroom sinks as well as shower and tub faucets, to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.

Always remember to keep the supplies in your winter preparedness kit current.  Check the dates on canned foods, batteries, etc. often to ensure you are always covered.  Make sure you’re paying attention to the winter storm watches or warnings in your area.

Source: www.weather.com