Before

• Try to stay inside if possible, but if you have to go outdoors, prepare yourself against the cold.
• Check the insulation around exterior pipes.
• Wear lots of layers - a few lightweight layers give more warmth than a single heavy coat. Try thermal underwear, a turtleneck, a medium sweater, and a jacket.
• Wear a hat or cap to prevent heat loss. Also cover your mouth to protect your lungs. Wear gloves.
• Find out the wind chill factor, because wind and cold can drive down your body temperature.
• Take care when walking on icy sidewalks and snow. Wear hiking or snow boots, golf shoes, or put duct take on the outer soles. On slippery paths, sprinkle sand, rock salt, or kitty litter to provide more traction.
• Always tell someone where you are going, how you are getting there, and when you think you will arrive. This way, someone will know where you might be if you are stranded.
• Try not to drive, but keep the tank full and the fuel line from freezing.
• Keep food, water, blankets, coats, gloves, hats, a shovel, sand, rope, tire chains, jumper cables, and a bright signal cloth inside the trunk of your car, in case you are ever stranded while driving.
• Prepare your car for winter cold and snow - flush the radiator and buy antifreeze. Also check the overall electrical system and car battery. Make sure the headlights are working properly.
• Check and refill your heating fuel supply. Stock up on firewood if necessary.
• Inside your house, store emergency, food, water, and other necessary supplies.
• Learn CPR and first aid.
• Check the insulation surrounding interior pipes.
• Wrap up your hot water heater.
• Clean out the chimney flue to prevent fire hazard.
• Conserve heat by closing doors or heating only certain rooms.
• Insulate your house, the attic, around doors, windows, and outlets.
• Stuff rolled blankets or towels under doors and cracks to block cold.
• Surround windows with plastic, shutters, and hang up blankets or curtains.

During

• Keep listening to storm warnings and updates. A storm watch means that a storm is possible.
• If you hear the words, “storm warning,” go to a shelter. A storm is coming to the indicated area.
• If you hear news of a blizzard warning, find shelter as soon as possible.
• If you are stuck in your car, stay with the vehicle:
• Tie a bright cloth onto your car antenna as a signal to rescuers.
• Keep the window open a crack for air.
• Stay warm by moving your arms and legs, keeping the blood flowing.
• Start the car engine once every hour and use the heater for ten minutes. When the engine is running, leave the dome light on.
• Keep the exhaust pipe clear so that fumes can escape.
• Keep pets under control by leashing them or putting them in carriers.
• Leave a warm water faucet dripping so pipes will not freeze.
• Get blankets, dry warm clothing, and hot water ready.
• Be ready to administer aid for frostbite and hypothermia.
• Stay inside.

After

• Check for injuries and help the wounded if necessary or possible.
• Be cautious when handling pets and animals. Keep them under control and treat them for any injuries.
• Replace or repair broken waterlines.
• Repair chimneys or other structures if necessary.
• Replace broken windows or glass.
• Report fallen power lines to your utility company.
• If you have an emergency on your hands, call 911.
• Avoid areas damaged by the storm, for those areas may contain unstable structures or land.
• Repair damaged fences or fallen objects before letting pets outside.

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Forces of Nature: ThinkQuest 2000 (Team #C003603)

http://library.thinkquest.org/C003603/english/snowstorms/preparation.shtml