Winter Weather Safety

WINTER IN THE MIDWEST: Storms tend to develop over southeast Colorado in the lee of the Rockies. These storms move east or northeast and use both the southward plunge of cold air from Canada and the northward flow of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to produce heavy snow and sometimes blizzard conditions. Other storms affecting the Midwest and Plains intensify in the lee of the Canadian Rockies and move southeast. Arctic air is drawn from the north and moves south across the Plains and Great Lakes. Wind and cold sometimes combine to cause wind chill temperatures as low as 70°F below zero. The wind crosses the lakes, tapping its moisture and forming snow squalls and narrow heavy snow bands. This is called "lake-effect snow".

RECORD COLD TEMPERATURES:
Columbia -26° February 12, 1899
Kansas City -23° December 22-23, 1989
Springfield -29° February 12, 1899
St. Louis -22° January 5, 1894

COLDEST TEMPERATURES IN MISSOURI:
Warsaw -40° February 13, 1905

WINTER STORM WATCH means a winter storm is possible in your area. Listen to NOAA Weather Alert Radio, local radio and TV stations, or cable TV such as The Weather Channel for further updates.

WINTER STORM WARNING means a winter storm is headed for your area. 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 lings. 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.

BLIZZARD WARNING means strong winds, blinding wind-driven snow and dangerous wind chills are expected. Seek shelter immediately. Have emergency supplies in the trunk Keep your car's gas tank full 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. Cellular phones are great, but use them for emergency situations to minimize overloading the cellular system, during emergency conditions.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY means conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. If caution is exercised, these situations should not become life-threatening. The greatest hazard is often to motorists.

FROST/FREEZE WARNING means below freezing temperatures are expected and may cause significant damages to plants, crops, or fruit trees. In areas unaccustomed to freezing temperatures, people who have homes without heat nee d to take added precautions.

SNOW: Cloud temperature is cold enough for snow to form (28°-29° degrees); air above the ground does not melt it (30° to 31° degrees).

Flurries: Light snow falling for short durations. No accumulation or light dusting is all that is expected.

Showers: Snow falling at varying intensities for brief periods of time. Some accumulation is possible. Squalls - Brief, intense snow showers accompanied by strong, gusty winds. Accumulation may be significant. Snow squalls are best known in the Great Lakes region.

Blowing Snow: Wind-driven snow that reduces visibility and causes significant drifting. Blowing snow may be snow that is falling and/or loose snow on the ground picked up by the wind.

Blizzard: Winds over 35 mph with snow and blowing snow reducing visibility to near zero.

SLEET: Rain freezes to ice pellets which do not stick to surfaces, (in the clouds the temperature ranges from 34° degrees at higher elevations to 32° degrees), but accumulates on the ground (31° down to 30° degrees at ground level) Sleet - Rain drops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet usually bounces when hitting a surface and does not stick to objects. However, it can accumulate like snow and cause a hazard to motorists.

FREEZING RAIN: Glaze of ice forms over surfaces. (temperatures in the clouds ranges from 30 degrees at higher elevations to 34 degrees and from 33 degrees to 30 degrees at ground level). Freezing Rain - Rain that falls onto a surface with temperature below freezing. This causes it to freeze to surfaces, such as trees, cars, and roads, forming a coating or glaze of ice. Even small accumulations of ice can cause a significant hazards.

WHAT MAKES A WINTER STORM?

Cold Air - Below freezing temperatures in the clouds and near the ground are necessary to make snow and/or ice. Moisture - Moisture is needed to form clouds and precipitation. Air blowing across a body of water, such as a large lake or the ocean, is an excellent source of moisture.

Lift - Lift is something to raise the moist air to form the clouds and cause precipitation. An example of lift is warm air colliding with cold air and being forced to rise over the cold dome. The boundary between the warm and cold air masses is called a front. Another example of lift is air flowing up a mountain side.

WINTER STORMS ARE CONSIDERED DECEPTIVE KILLERS BECAUSE MOST DEATHS ARE INDIRECTLY RELATED TO THE STORM. PEOPLE DIE IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ON ICY ROADS. PEOPLE DIE OF HEART ATTACKS WHILE SHOVELING SNOW. PEOPLE DIE OF HYPOTHERMIA FROM PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO COLD. WINTER DEATHS:

Everyone is potentially at risk during winter storms. The actual threat to you depends on your specific situation. Recent observations indicate the following: Related to ice and snow: About 70% occur in automobiles. About 25% are people caught out in the storm. Majority are males over 40 years old. Related to exposure to cold: 50% are people over 60 years old. Over 75% are males. About 20% occur in the home.

COLD:

Wind Chill - The wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by combined effects of wind and cold. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from the body at an accelerated rate, driving down the body temperature. Animals are also affected by wind chill.

WIND CHILL CHART

Frostbite - Frostbite is damage to body tissue caused by that tissue being frozen. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately! If you must wait for help, slowly rewarm affected areas. However, if the person is also showing signs of hypothermia, warm the body core before the extremities.

Hypothermia: Low Body Temperature
Warning Signs - uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion.

Detection - Take the person's temperature. If below 95°F (35°C), immediately seek medical care! If medical care is not available, begin warming the person slowly. Warm the body core first. If needed, use your own body heat to help. Get the person into dry clothing, and wrap them in a warm blanket covering the head and neck. Do not give the person alcohol, drugs, coffee, or any hot beverage or food; warm broth is better. Do not warm extremities (arms and legs) first! This drives the cold blood toward the heart and can lead to heart failure.

*Source: Missouri Department of Health, Office of Epidemiology Sources of information: State Emergency Management Agency National Weather Service State Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Missouri State Highway Patrol.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY RULES PREPARING FOR A WINTER STORM:

AROUND THE HOUSE:
An ice storm will take down power lines knocking out electricity. Check battery powered equipment before the storm arrives. Have extra blankets on hand. Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water-resistant boots. Dress for the conditions when outdoors. Wear several layers of light-weight, warm clothing; layers can be removed to prevent perspiring and subsequent chill. Outer garments should be tightly woven, waterproof and hooded. For the hands, mittens, snug at the wrists, offer better protection than fingered gloves.

Assemble a disaster supplies kit containing: First Aid Kit and essential medications, Battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and portable radio, flashlight, and extra batteries Canned food and nonelectric can opener. If there are infants at home, make sure you have enough infant formula or baby food. Include food that requires no cooking in case of power failure. Make sure pets and animals have shelter and a water supply, i.e bottled water. Check your supply of heating fuel. Fuel carriers may not be able to reach you due to ice or snow covered roads. Be careful when using fireplaces, stoves or space heaters. Proper ventilation is essential. Don't use charcoal; it gives off deadly amounts of carbon monoxide. Keep flammable material away from space heaters and do not overload electric circuits. Don't kill yourself shoveling snow. It is extremely hard work for anyone in less than prime physical condition. It can bring on a heart attack, a major cause of death during and after winter storms.

AUTOMOBILES:
Your automobile can be your best friend or worst enemy during winter storms. Have your car winterized by having the following items checked: ignition system, heater, brakes, wipers, cooling system, defroster, oil, exhaust, fuel system, battery, lights and tires. Don;t forget your washer solvent. Keep moister out of your fuel tank, by using the appropriate additives to your fuel. If you travel often during the winter, carry a winter storm kit in your car with the following items: flashlight, compass, windshield scraper, maps, sand, paper towels, chains, blankets, warm sleeping bags, matches/candles, high calorie non-perishable foods, booster cables, extra warm clothing and rain gear. Never carry gasoline in containers other than the car's gas tank. Winter travel by car is serious business! If the storm exceeds or tests your driving ability, seek available shelter immediately! Plan your travel. Try not to travel alone and drive in convoy when possible. Drive carefully and defensively. Pump the brakes when trying to stop on snow or ice covered roads.

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. Keep moving your arms and legs to maintain blood circulation and to stay warm. Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air.

ON THE FARM
Move animals to sheltered areas. Shelter belts, properly laid out and oriented, are better protection for cattle than confining shelters, such as sheds. Haul extra feed to nearby feeding areas. Have a water supply available. Most animal deaths in winter storms are from dehydration. *Sources of information: State Emergency Management Agency National Weather Service State Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Missouri State Highway Patrol.

WINTER SAFETY FOR SCHOOLS:

Children can be especially susceptible to the dangers associated with winter weather. Their youthful enthusiasm often takes over when common sense and safety should prevail. School administrators and principals need to be sensitive to the dangers winter weather can pose to children and be prepared. Winter weather procedures and practices need to be established before the onset of winter cold.

The following few items should be considered when formulating a winter weather safety plan: The St Charles County Division of Emergency Management will continue to stay on top of developing winter weather and when necessary will issue advisories, watches and warnings on the indoor early warning plectron system which every private and public school has within its offices. When necessary, we will also issue advisories on wind chill factors.

All schools should have a functional plan in regard to closures due to snow, ice or extreme cold. During the winter months, guidelines need to be established regarding outside recess. Temperatures and wind chills need to be monitored and criteria set as to when outside recess will be allowed. School bus drivers should receive extra training on driving during winter weather. Snow and ice can often accumulate quickly and unexpectedly on roads creating dangerous driving conditions. Bus drivers should also be able to recognize signs of frostbite or hypothermia. With many households having two working parents today, it may be necessary for some children to be brought to school early. Schools should make provisions to allow children inside school buildings, as early as possible, during cold weather.
*Sources of information: State Emergency Management Agency National Weather Service State Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Missouri State Highway Patrol

WINTER FIRES WINTER FIRE SAFETY TIPS FOR THE HOME

The high cost of home heating fuels and utilities have caused many Americans to search for alternate sources of home heating. The use of the wood burning stove market is growing. Space heaters are selling rapidly, or coming out of storage. Fireplaces are burning wood and manmade logs. All of these supplementary heat measures may be acceptable. But, they are also a major contributing factor in residential fires. Many of these fires can be prevented.

The following fire safety tips can help you maintain a fire safe home this winter:

KEROSENE HEATERS
Be sure your heater is in good working condition. Inspect exhaust parts for carbon build-up. Be sure the heater has an emergency shut off in case the heater is tipped over. Never use fuel burning appliances without proper room venting. Burning (kerosene, coal, or propane, for example) produces deadly fumes. Use ONLY the fuel recommended by the heater manufacturer. NEVER INTRODUCE A FUEL INTO A UNIT NOT DESIGNED FOR THAT TYPE FUEL. Keep kerosene, or other flammable liquids stored, in approved metal containers, within well ventilated storage areas outside of the house. NEVER fill the heater while it is operating or hot. When refueling an oil or kerosene unit, avoid overfilling. Use caution with cold fuel for it may expand in the tank as it warms up. Refueling should be done outside of the home (or outdoors). Keep young children safely away from space heaters, especially when they are wearing nightgowns or other loose clothing that can be easily ignited. When using a fuel burning appliance in the bedroom, be sure there is proper ventilation to prevent a build up of carbon monoxide.

WOOD STOVES AND FIREPLACES
Wood stoves and fireplaces are becoming a very common heat source in homes. Careful attention to safety can minimize their fire hazard. Use them safely! Be sure the stove or fireplace is installed properly. Woodstoves should have adequate clearance (36") from combustible surfaces, proper floor support and protection. Wood stoves should be of good quality, solid construction and design, and should be UL listed. Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned, especially if it has not been used for some time. Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire. Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening, to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out and unwanted material (or people) from going in. The stove should be burned hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote buildup. Don't use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplace. It is possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by overbuilding the fire. Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide. Keep flammable materials away from your mantel. A spark from the fireplace could easily ignite these materials. Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. NEVER CLOSE YOUR DAMPER WITH HOT ASHES IN THE FIREPLACE! A closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house. If synthetic logs are used follow the directions on the package. Never break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire, and/or use more than one log at a time. They often burn unevenly releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide.

FURNACE HEATING
It's important that you have your furnace inspected to insure that it is in good working condition. Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are in proper working condition. Leave furnace repairs to qualified specialists. Do not attempt repairs yourself unless you are qualified. Inspect the walls and ceiling near the furnace and along the chimney line. If the wall is hot or discolored, additional pipe insulation or clearance may be required. Check the flue pipes and pipe seams. Are they well supported? Free of holes, and cracks? Soot along or around seams may be an indicator of a leak. Is the chimney solid? No cracks or loose bricks? All unused flue openings should be sealed with solid masonry. Keep trash and combustibles away from the heating system.

OTHER FIRE SAFETY TIPS
Never discard hot ashes inside or near the home. Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the house. Never use a range or an oven as a supplementary heating devise. Not only is it a safety hazard, it can be a source of potentially toxic fumes. If you use an electric heater, be sure not to overload the circuit. Only use extension cords which have the necessary rating to carry the amp load. Avoid using electric space heaters in bathrooms, or other areas where they may come in contact with water. Frozen water pipes? Never try to thaw them with a blow torch or other open flame, (otherwise the pipe could conduct the heat and ignite the wall structure inside the wall space). Use hot water or a UL labeled device such as a hand held dryer for thawing. If windows are used as emergency exits in your home, practice using them in the event fire should strike. Be sure that all windows open easily. Home escape ladders are recommended. If there is a fire hydrant near your home you can assist the fire department by keeping the hydrant clear of snow so in the event it is needed, it can be located.

FINALLY
Be sure every level of your home has a working smoke detector, and be sure to check and clean it on a monthly basis. Are the batteries fresh? Contact your local fire department for advice, if you have a question on Home Fire Safety.

Sources of information: Federal Emergency Management Agency & U.S. Fire Administration.