Press Release — (Jan. 22, 2016) The American Red Cross is urging residents to stay safe during this winter storm.
“Freezing temperatures can be dangerous, so we encourage everyone to stay indoors if possible, but if you must go outdoors, wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm,” said Angela A. Broome, chief executive officer for American Red Cross Western North Carolina Region. “Gloves and a hat will help sustain body heat.”
The Red Cross encourages everyone to follow these safety steps during this winter storm:
DURING THE STORM
· Be extremely careful when shoveling snow.
· Take frequent breaks and stay hydrated.
· Check on children, elderly neighbors and people with disabilities.
· Run water even at a trickle to avoid pipes freezing.
· Bring animals inside and move livestock to sheltered areas.
· If someone’s home loses power or heat during extreme cold, they should go to a designated public shelter.
· Never use a generator, grill, or other fuel or charcoal burning device inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate them away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
· Watch for hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia symptoms include confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Frostbite symptoms include numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, or waxy feeling skin.
DRIVING If possible, avoid driving in this storm. If someone has to drive, they should have a window scraper, kitty litter or sand in case their vehicle gets stuck, extra clothes and a Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk. Fill the vehicle’s gas tank and clean the lights and windows to help see.
HOME FIRE DANGER
Storms like this can result in a high number of home fires.
· Use flashlights for light, not candles.
· People should never use a stove or oven to heat their home. If using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
· Place space heaters on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable at least three feet away – turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.
