American Red Cross tips on staying safe in a winter storm
CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. » As winter storms are expected to continue to bring snow and ice to the Northeast, the American Red Cross has steps to take to stay safe for those in the path of this winter weather.
Individuals in unaffected areas encouraged to give blood
Hundreds of blood donations often go uncollected when blood drives are cancelled due to winter storms. With a critical need for blood donors right now, especially type O, the Red Cross urges people in areas of the country unaffected by winter weather to roll up a sleeve to ensure patients across the country continue to receive lifesaving blood products.
Individuals can schedule an appointment by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS (1-800- 733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Winter Safety
• Caulk and weather- strip doors and windowsills to keep cold air out. Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside to provide an extra layer of insulation to keep cold air out.
• Make sure you have enough heating fuel on hand.
• Stay indoors and wear warm clothes. Layers of loosefitting, lightweight, warm clothing will keep you warmer than a bulky sweater. If you feel too warm, remove layers to avoid sweating; if you feel chilled, add layers.
• Check on relatives, neighbors, and friends, particularly if they are elderly or if they live alone.
Protect Pipes from Freezing If possible, bring your pets inside during cold winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas and make sure they have access to nonfrozen drinking water. If the animals are outside, make sure their access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles.
Stay Safe Outside
• Wear layered clothing, mittens or gloves, and a hat.
• Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from severely cold air.
• Watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
• Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses much of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly away from the body.
• Stretch before you go out. If you go out to shovel snow, do a few stretching exercises to warm up your body. This will reduce your chances of muscle injury.
• Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling heavy snow, pushing a vehicle, or walking in deep snow. The strain from the cold and the hard labor may cause a heart attack. Sweating could lead to a chill and hypothermia.
• Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks. Slips and falls occur frequently in winter weather, resulting in painful and sometimes disabling injuries.
• If you must go out during a winter storm, use public transportation if possible. About 70 percent of winter deaths related to ice and snow occur in automobiles.
Winter Driving Safety Stay off the road if possible during severe weather. If you must drive in winter weather,
follow these tips:
• Keep in your vehicle: drinking water, blanket, f lashlight.
Download Red Cross
Apps
The Red Cross app “Emergency” can help keep you and your loved ones safe with real- time
alerts, shelter locations and safety advice. The Red Cross First Aid App provides instant access to information on handling
the most common first aid emergencies.
Download these apps for free by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.