Winter Storms and Extreme Cold PLANS

Are You Ready?

Winter Storms and Extreme Cold Checklist

Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region. Even areas that normally experience mild winters can be hit with a major snowstorm or extreme cold. Winter storms can result in flooding, storm surge, closed highways, blocked roads, downed power lines and hypothermia.

Know the Terms
Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a winter storm hazard:

Freezing Rain: Rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees, and power lines.

Sleet: Rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes moisture on roads to freeze and become slippery.

Winter Storm Watch: A winter storm is possible in your area. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for more information.

Winter Storm Warning: A winter storm is occurring or will soon occur in your area.

Blizzard Warning: Sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 miles per hour or greater and considerable amounts of falling or blowing snow (reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile) are expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer.

Frost/Freeze Warning: Below freezing temperatures are expected.
Take Protective Measures

Before Winter Storms and Extreme Cold
Include the following in your disaster supplies kit:

* Rock salt to melt ice on walkways
* Sand to improve traction
* Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.

REMEMBER: PETS cannot tolerate toxic ice/snow removal products on their paws!

Prepare for possible isolation in your home by having sufficient heating fuel; regular fuel sources may be cut off. For example, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.

Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic.

To winterize your car, attend to the following:

* Battery and ignition system should be in top condition and battery terminals clean.
* Ensure antifreeze levels are sufficient to avoid freezing.
* Ensure the heater and defroster work properly.
* Check and repair windshield wiper equipment; ensure proper washer fluid level.
* Ensure the thermostat works properly.
* Check lights and flashing hazard lights for serviceability.
* Check for leaks and crimped pipes in the exhaust system; repair or replace as necessary. Carbon monoxide is deadly and usually gives no warning.
* Check breaks for wear and fluid levels.
* Check oil for level and weight. Heavier oils congeal more at low temperatures and do not lubricate as well.
* Consider snow tires, snow tires with studs, or chains.
* Replace fuel and air filters. Keep water out of the system by using additives and maintaining a full tank of gas.

Dress for the Weather

* Wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
* Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.
* Wear a hat.
* Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

During a Winter Storm
The following are guidelines for what you should do during a winter storm or under conditions of extreme cold:

* Listen to your radio, television, or NOAA Weather Radio for weather reports and emergency information.
* Eat regularly and drink ample fluids, but avoid caffeine and alcohol.
* Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack—a major cause of death in the winter. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside.
* Watch for signs of frostbite. These include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.
* Watch for signs of hypothermia. These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. If symptoms of hypothermia are detected, get the victim to a warm location, remove wet clothing, warm the center of the body first, and give warm, non-alcoholic beverages if the victim is conscious. Get medical help as soon as possible.
* Conserve fuel, if necessary, by keeping your residence cooler than normal. Temporarily close off heat to some rooms.
* Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid build-up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least three feet from flammable objects.
* Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive, consider the following:
o Travel in the day, don’t travel alone, and keep others informed of your schedule
o Stay on main roads; avoid back road shortcuts

If a blizzard traps you in the car, keep these guidelines in mind:

* Pull off the highway. Turn on hazard lights and hang a distress flag from the radio antenna or window.
* Remain in your vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find you. Do not set out on foot unless you can see a building close by where you know you can take shelter. Be careful; distances are distorted by blowing snow. A building may seem close, but be too far to walk to in deep snow.
* Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. When the engine is running, open an upwind window slightly for ventilation. This will protect you from possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Periodically clear snow from the exhaust pipe.
* Exercise to maintain body heat, but avoid overexertion. In extreme cold, use road maps, seat covers, and floor mats for insulation. Huddle with passengers and use your coat for a blanket.
* Take turns sleeping. One person should be awake at all times to look for res-cue crews.
* Drink fluids to avoid dehydration.
* Be careful not to waste battery power. Balance electrical energy needs - the use of lights, heat, and radio - with supply.
* Turn on the inside light at night so work crews or rescuers can see you.
* If stranded in a remote area, stomp large block letters in an open area spelling out HELP or SOS and line with rocks or tree limbs to attract the attention of rescue personnel who may be surveying the area by airplane.
* Leave the car and proceed on foot - if necessary - once the blizzard passes.

After a Winter Storm
Follow the instructions for recovering from a disaster HERE

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USDA Blog: weblog

Wednesday, July 22, 2009.

http://www.usda.gov/blog/usda/

USDA ANNOUNCES 2010 FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION CONFERENCE

"Advancements in Food Safety Education: Trends, Tools and Technologies" will Continue Obama Administration's Efforts to Reduce Foodborne Illness

Continue to read July 20, 2009 news release here.

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Homeland Security: 2009 Stakeholders Conference East Video

 

http://www.homelandsecurity.conferenceon.tv/SCE09/VOD/video.html?data=xml/Day1a.xml&flvID=4

The Food Safety Working Group

On Twitter.com, add @FSWGListens, @USDAfoodsafety and @Whitehouse. Use hashtags #WHFoodsafety and/or #safefood at the end of your 140 character tweet to let the government read the comments of concerned people like YOU & I regarding food safety.

Arches National Park

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Don't Get Stuck On Stupid! Message from Lt. Gen. Russel Honore and ME.

First off, if you don't know who the General is, I implore you to keep reading! He's The TRUTH. He was the man who President Bush called to evacuate New Orleans after hurricane Katrina and others. He's a native Louisianian. Also, he retired from active duty in the service of the U.S. military. He has a sharp wit and is a plain dealer. He was recently the keynote speaker in D.C. at a Homeland Security conference on preparedness because he's qualified to speak on the topic. Find his page here: http://www.generalhonore.com/

And so I emailed him. I'm brave enough to contact anyone. The Oprah Winfrey Show invited me to meet her and President Clinton and Andre Agassi and others for a show taping about 'Giving', the title of President Clinton's book which was released at the time. I was inspired largely to reach out to caring people by being in their presence. I saw a way to promote my causes to help the helpless.

Children, the handicapped and the elderly have it harder than the rest of the demographic probably everywhere on Earth. Having said that, they are still the third of the people left behind or lost when disaster strikes. They're called "people without a ride". Mix in poor people, real poverty. We have a recipe for more real crises here in the USA like we saw in New Orleans after Katrina. As a matter of fact, the fires aren't done doing devastation in California forests, tornado alley, flooding rivers...you name it.

How can we be more prepared before disaster strikes? For every $1 spent in prevention, $9 is saved in aftermath money! Do you homework starting with the website of Russel Honore, go to Ready.gov and if you use Twitter, link to the government there. The CDC is there, Homeland Security and The White House, for starters. Then set your device updates to receive them from important tweets like those. I choose on twitter a couple news sources I trust for up to date events as they occur.

Part of the donated Tipjoy money (see above button) from you WILL GO towards economical, effective preparedness kits, just in case. I saw a website with kits that are too pricey, I can use information from http://www.ready.gov/ and find the items on Amazon.com or Wal-mart and a drugstore/pharmacy too if necessary. They will be as "green" as possible and issued to people from ALL walks of life, I don't discriminate.

MicroCelebrity Food for Thought

Good Health is the FOUNDATION. Let's begin:

The internet is the great equalizer when it comes to popularity. Microcelebrity is about being that to a small, influential group. Think of products like Coke and people like Oprah as excellent brands. I think we can all agree Oprah can influence almost anything. She's a "smart cookie" so we prioritize her ideas. Ideas are exchanged at the speed of light but sometimes you find a special blog/blogger you may want to slow down and spend a little time with, that's where you are now.

So is Miss O one of the only people who possess genius? Of course not and I love that she inspires us to live our best lives. To that end, one of my main causes, and I hope you'll join me, is to reform the food industry better known as AGRIBUSINESS. Our food supply contains a few 'special', toxic additives I've come to know as enemies of the human body:

1. high fructose corn syrup

2. refined sugar

3. enriched flour

4. gluten

5. trans fat

6. saturated fat

Obesity as well as many other "lifestyle" diseases are attributed to these adulterations/additives/ingredients. I'm not suffering from a myriad of illnesses...yet.

I'll be paying to see the new, watershed documentary, Food, Inc! It premiered June 12, 2009, but if it's not in your city, call an independent theater to request it. I did it and it will premier in my city July 10, 2009. The youtube trailers are good too.

Whatever we buy is a VOTE at the cash register. Marketing tactics to supply us with out of season fruits & vegetables from far away places and hormone-laden meat is atrocious!

Share your thoughts with me, more to follow. Thanks.