Cold Weather Safety

Sedgwick County > Cold Weather Safety

Fire Safety
Winter Storms
Hypothermia and Frostbite
Related: Holiday Safety

Fire Safety Tips for the Home

General tips for cold-weather safety in the home

Have all heating sources - furnaces, water heaters, wood stoves and fire places - checked and serviced annually by a reliable professional.
Make sure no flammable materials have been placed near any heating appliance over the summer, when the appliance was not in use.
Use space heaters with care and inspect electric heaters for damaged cords. Look for models with automatic shut-offs.
Make sure there is a working smoke detector on every level of the home. Check the batteries every six months (daylight-saving time in April and October are a good rule of thumb) and replace them annually.
Develop a home fire escape plan with two exits from every room. Establish a meeting place in a safe location so all family members can be accounted for. Call the fire department from a cordless phone, at a neighbor's home or other safe location. Never re-enter a burning building for any reason. Practice your home escape plan every six months and consider practicing it at night when most home fires occur.
Consider installing carbon monoxide detectors on every level of the home, near sleeping areas where the audible alarm can be heard. If the alarm goes off, exit the home and call 9-1-1.

Wood-Burning Stoves

To protect the floor under wood-burning stoves, install approved protection or a floor protector endorsed by a testing lab. Install wood-burning stoves at least three feet away from walls and furniture. Keep all combustible materials away from the stove and its chimney connection.

Fireplaces

When you use your fireplace, protect your home from sparks by using a fire screen made of sturdy metal or heat-tempered glass. Burn only seasoned wood. DO NOT burn rubbish or scraps of treated lumber. Add wood carefully; sparks can escape into the room while the screen is open. Be sure dampers are in working order, and never leave fires unattended, especially in an area used by children or pets.

Vents and Chimneys

All fueled heaters must be vented to prevent dangerous carbon monoxide build-up in your home. Creosote and carbon deposits caused by inefficient burning in fireplaces and wood stoves can coat chimney flues and pose a fire hazard. Have your chimney inspected by a professional before each heating season and have it cleaned if necessary. Unusually high concentrations of chimney deposits could mean your fireplace or wood stove is not burning efficiently and should be inspected for defects. If you use a wood stove, have the flue and chimney connection inspected and cleaned regularly. Consider installing a spark arrester on top of any chimney that vents a solid-fuel stove or fireplace.

Space Heaters

Give space heaters space. Keep all combustible materials away from portable and space heaters. Place all space heaters at least three feet from furniture, walls, curtains or anything else that could catch fire. Turn off space heaters when you leave home or go to bed.

Liquid Fuel Safety

If your space heater burns liquid fuel such as kerosene, let the heater cool down before refueling it. Adding fuel to a hot heater can cause fumes to ignite. Always refuel your heater outdoors in an area away from structures where a spill won't present a fire hazard. Use only the type of fuel recommended by the manufacturer. Never use a substitute or a lower-grade fuel. Never put gasoline in any space heater. Buy a fuel container for the space heater fuel that allows for safe storage of the fuel, and store the fuel in a garage or shed, not in the living area of your home.

Natural Gas-Fueled Heaters

Check vents periodically to make sure they aren't blocked. Never install unvented heaters in bathrooms or sleeping areas. Carbon monoxide can build up to dangerous levels in small, enclosed spaces.

Electric Heaters

Inspect electric heater cords for cracks or other damage and have an electrician replace frayed or damaged cords. If the cord overheats while the heater is on, have it inspected and serviced. Purchase electric heaters with a tip-over safety switch that turns the heater off if it is accidentally tipped over.

Central Heating Systems

Statistically, central heating systems are less likely than portable or space heaters to cause home fires, but neglect can increase the risk to your safety. Never store combustible materials near a furnace and be sure that installation and automatic shut-off systems conform to local fire safety codes and are in good working order. Have your furnace inspected and serviced annually by a qualified professional. This checkup can prevent the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Winter Storm Safety

Winter Storm Checklist

Prepare a winter storm plan

Have extra blankets on hand.
Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water-resistant boots.
Assemble a disaster supplies kit containing:
- First aid kit and essential medications.
- Battery-powered NOM Weather Radio and portable radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
- Canned food and nonelectric can opener.
- Bottled water.
Have your car winterized before winter storm season.
Assemble a disaster supplies kit for your car.
Keep your fuel tank at least half full when winter weather is approaching

Stay tuned for storm warnings

Listen to NOAA weather radio and your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information
Know what winter storm WATCHES and WARNINGS mean:
- A winter storm WATCH means a winter storm is possible in your area.
- A winter storm WARNING means a winter storm is headed for your area.
- A blizzard WARNING means strong winds, blinding wind-driven snow, and dangerous wind chill are expected. Seek shelter immediately!

When a winter storm WATCH is issued...

Listen to NOAA weather radio, local radio and TV stations, or cable TV such as The Weather Channel for further updates.
Be alert to changing weather conditions.
Avoid unnecessary travel.

When a winter storm WARNING is issued...

Stay indoors during the storm.
If you must go outside, several layers of lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Gloves (or mittens) and a hat will prevent loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs.
Understand that hazards of wind chill, which combines the cooling effect of wind and cold temperature on exposed skin. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from a person's body at an accelerated rate, driving down the body temperature.
Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks.
After the storm, if you shovel snow, be extremely careful. It is physically strenuous work, so take frequent breaks. Avoid overexertion.

Avoid traveling by car in a storm, but if you must...

Have emergency supplies in the trunk, including extra clothing, gloves and hats, blankets, cell phone charger, water, snack food, flashlight, shovel, tow strap, jumper cables, windshield scraper, first aid kit and necessary medications.
Keep your car's gas tank above half for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.

If you do get stuck...

Stay with your car. Do not try to walk to safety.
Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see.
Start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won't back up into the car.
Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so that you can be seen.
As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to stay warm.
Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air.

Hypothermia

When your body is exposed to cold temperatures, you begin to lose heat faster than you can produce it. Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees. Body temperature that falls too low (less than 95 degrees) can affect your brain, making you unable to think clearly or even recognize that you are in danger. Wear a hat! Eighty percent of your body heat is lost through your head.

Warning Signs

Shivering, drowsiness, and exhaustion
Confusion and fumbling
Memory loss and slurred speech
In infants - bright red and cold skin and very low energy

What to do

Get the victim to a warm shelter, remove wet clothing & warm the person with warm blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets. Start with the person's chest, head and neck.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
If they can drink, warm beverages are encouraged. Avoid alcohol.
After the person's body temperature has increased, keep them dry & warm.

Frostbite is the freezing of body tissues from prolonged exposure to the cold. It is characterized by a lack of feeling and color to the affected areas. It mostly affects the nose, ears, cheeks, fingers and toes. Frostbite can permanently damage body tissues which can lead to the need for amputation. The risk of frostbite is increased in individuals with poor circulation and persons not dressed appropriately for the weather conditions.

Frostbite

Warning Signs

White or grayish yellow skin
Numb, firm or waxy feeling skin

What to do

Get out of the cold, protect exposed skin, and seek emergency medical care.
If feet are affected, AVOID walking, as this will encourage further tissue damage. Immerse the affected are in warm, not hot, water.
Use your body heat to warm the affected are, but DO NOT reub or massage the area! This will encourage further tissue damage.
When warming the area, do not use a heating pad, head lamp, or heat from a stove, fireplace, or radiator. The affected areas are numb and can be easily burned.