Important - Stay inside

However, if you are, or must go, outside:

• Dress for the weather. Wool clothing is best in wet or cold weather as it retains heat even when wet. Clothes made of cotton, such as blue jeans are not good to wear because when wet, they speed up the loss of body heat. Outer clothing should be tightly woven and water repellent.
• Wear mittens because they are warmer than gloves.
• Wear a hat as most of your body heat is lost through your head when left uncovered.

In wide open areas, visibility can be virtually non-existent. You could easily lose your way.

• If a blizzard strikes, do not try to walk to another building unless there is a rope to guide you or something you can follow.
• If you have livestock and must check on them in a barn, you may want to string a lifeline between your house and any buildings which you may have to go out to during the storm.

If you get trapped in a snow storm or snowbank while driving, DON'T PANIC! Here are some tips for survival:

• Stay in the car - you won't get lost and you have shelter.
• Keep dry and warm - wear a hat to preserve body heat.
• Keep fresh air in the car by opening a window less than 1/2 an inch on the side away from the wind.
• Ensure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow.
• Run your engine sparingly.
• Light a candle for warmth.

Keeping Warm

• If you have children, have them sleep together between you and another adult. This will help to maximize body heat. Pets, especially dogs, are also a very good heat source.
• When heating your home with limited heating capabilities, restrict heat to one or two rooms shutting the doors to the rest of the house. Try not to enter or exit the house from the heated rooms.
• Make sure there is adequate ventilation in your home to prevent carbon monoxide build-up.
• Pile up mattresses, sleeping bags, thick blankets and pillows across from the heat source so that they are warm when you sleep. Do not put them too near the heat source as they may catch on fire.
• If someone is very cold or even hypothermic, do not let them sleep.

Evacuation information

When asked to evacuate:

• Leave immediately. Ignoring warnings to evacuate your home could jeopardize the safety of your household members and of those people who might eventually have to come to your rescue.
• Take your household survival kit with you.
• Listen to the radio and television channels following instructions from local emergency officials.
• If you are instructed to do so, shut off water, gas and electricity.
• Lock the house.
• If you have time, leave a note telling others when you left and where you went.
• Follow the routes specified by officials. Do not take shortcuts because a shortcut could lead to a blocked or dangerous area.