During Winter Storms and Extreme Cold

Stay indoors in a heated room as much as possible.

Electrical and Water Outages

• Unplug sensitive equipment during a power outage, including televisions, computers, and other electronics, to protect against voltage irregularities that may occur as power is restored.
• When a boil water notice is issued and you need to use tap water, you must boil the water before drinking it, making drinks, preparing food, brushing your teeth, or making ice.
• If you have no water service to your house, you can flush your toilet by using not-so-fresh water from a pool, a bathtub, or even melted snow.

What to Wear

• Stay warm by dressing in layers of loose-fitting clothing instead of a single heavy layer.
• Wear a hat, even indoors. Keeping your head warm helps keep your body warm.
• Wear gloves or mittens to keep hands warm and wear a scarf to keep your neck warm.
• Use towels to block drafts around doors and windows.

If You Must Go Outside

• 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.
• Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling heavy snow, pushing a car, or walking in deep snow. The strain from the cold and the hard labor of snow shoveling could cause a heart attack at any age; a major cause of death in the winter. Don't ignore chest pain or tightness in your chest.
• If you become stranded outdoors, seek shelter to stay dry. Cover all exposed parts of the body.
• Do not eat snow as it will lower your body temperature. Melt it first.

Stay off the Road—Essential Travel Only

Federal Highway Administration reports indicate that the risk of vehicular accidents rises sharply in winter weather conditions. Driving is very dangerous during and immediately after a winter storm. Plan to stay off the road when authorities issue Advisories, Watches, and Warnings.

If driving is necessary, ensure you have emergency supplies of food, water, warm clothing, and a full tank of gas in case you are stuck in traffic or have an accident and have to wait several hours for assistance. If possible, travel during the day and do not travel alone. Stay on main roads and do not crowd the snowplows. Let someone know your destination, route, and expected arrival time.