As a winter storm is forecast, St. Louis Area Chapter encourages preparedness

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St. Louis, Friday, January 12, 2007 - As winter storm watches and warnings are issued throughout the region, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter encourages the public to prepare for extreme conditions. The Red Cross stands ready to provide emergency assistance as needed. Red Cross volunteers are on standby and pre-positioned supplies are ready, including cots, blankets, and food.

A winter storm can last for several days and can be accompanied by high winds, freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall, and cold temperatures. People should prepare for the unexpected, knowing that severe weather can trap them at home, without utilities or other services. Each set of conditions brought on by winter storms poses potential hazards. Winter storms are considered deceptive killers because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. The leading cause of death during winter storms is from automobile accidents and other transportation issues. Sleet is formed by raindrops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Although sleet usually bounces when hitting a surface and rarely sticks to objects, it can accumulate like snow and create a hazard for motorists. Freezing rain falls as moisture, but freezes to surfaces with temperatures that are below freezing. A glaze of ice then forms on trees, cars, and roads.

"It is always important to be aware of your surroundings, and to check the weather conditions before traveling," said Joseph C. White, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter. "The Red Cross wants people to understand how quickly conditions can change for the worse and to prepare in advance for how this may affect them."

The National Weather Service issues watches and warnings to alert the public of changes in weather. A winter storm watch means a winter storm is possible in our area, whereas a warning means that a winter storm is occurring or will soon occur. People should listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or local radio and television stations for updated information. Local authorities will provide the best information for the particular situation.

"It's also important to remember our friends and neighbors this time of year," said White.  "Be sure to check in on older adults who may not have extended family nearby to make sure they are warm and comfortable.  Also, as people prepare for winter weather and clean up in its wake, they should consider their limitations and avoid overexertion, which can lead to a serious health threat."

To further assist the public in preparing for extreme winter weather, the Red Cross suggests the following safety and preparedness tips during the winter season:

Plan for a Winter Storm:

• Understand the hazards of wind chill - a strong wind combined with a temperature of just below freezing can have the same effect as a still air temperature about 35 degrees colder.
• Service snow removal equipment in advance of a winter storm.
• Keep you car's gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Get training - take an American Red Cross first aid course to learn how to treat exposure to the cold, frostbite, and hypothermia.
• Discuss with your family what to do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued - communication ahead of time helps reduce fear.

Winter Driving:

• Have your car winterized - keeping your car in good condition will decrease your chance of being stranded in cold weather. Have a mechanic check your battery, antifreeze, wipers and windshield washer fluid, ignition system, thermostat, lights, flashing hazard lights, exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster, and oil level. Install good winter tires and make sure they have adequate tread.
• If you have a cell phone or a two-way radio, keep the battery charged and keep it with you at all times.
• Keep a windshield scraper and small broom in your car for ice and snow removal.
• Assemble a separate disaster supplies kit for the trunk - the kit should include the following: blankets or sleeping bags, rain gear and extra sets of dry clothing items, extra newspapers for insulation, high energy "munchies" such as canned fruit and nuts, bottles of water, cans of broth or soup, small tools such as a shovel and pocket knife, a small sack of sand to generate traction under wheels, jumper cables, a first aid kit and necessary medications, a flashlight with extra batteries, cards and other games, and a brightly colored cloth to tie to the antenna.
• Plan long trips carefully.
• Let someone else know your destination, route, and when you expect to arrive.
• Be aware of sleet, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and dense fog, which can make driving very hazardous.
• If you get stuck, consider the following: stay with your vehicle, display a trouble sign to indicate you need help, occasionally run the engine to keep warm (carbon monoxide can build up inside a standing vehicle while the engine is running), leave the overhead light on when the engine is running, do minor exercises to maintain proper circulation, take turns sleeping if more than one person is in the car, huddle together for warmth, use newspapers and other items for added insulation, keep a window that is away from blowing wind slightly open to let in air, watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia, drink fluids to avoid dehydration, and avoid overexertion.

What to Tell Children:

• The best way to stay safe in a snowstorm is to stay inside - long periods of exposure to severe cold increase the risk of frostbite or hypothermia.
• If you go outside to play after a snowstorm, dress in many layers and wear a hat and mittens.
• Come inside often for warm-up breaks.
• Signs of frostbite and hypothermia include shivering, tiredness, numbness in the nose, fingers, toes, or earlobes - if you feel these things, come inside right away and tell an adult.

How to Protect Your Property:

• Make sure your home is properly insulated.
• Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside.
• Prevent pipes from freezing by wrapping them in insulation or layers of old newspapers, cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture, let faucets drip a little, and know how to shut off water valves.
• Install snow fences in rural areas to reduce drifting in roads and paths.
• If you live in a flood-prone area, consider purchasing flood insurance to cover possible flood damage that may occur during the spring thaw.

Heat and Fire Safety:
According to a recent poll by the Red Cross, four out of five Americans are unaware that home fires are the most common disaster in the United States. House fires typically increase during the winter months as people focus on heating their homes. Unfortunately, only 26 percent of families have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. Since fires kill more Americans each year than all natural disasters combined, the Red Cross urges families to use Red Cross resources to develop a fire escape plan and to take steps toward fire prevention and safety. Helpful tips include the following:

• Consider safe emergency heating equipment such as a fireplace with an ample supply of wood, or a small, well-vented wood, coal, or camp stove with fuel. Only use approved and safe alternative heating sources, and ventilate properly to avoid a fire hazard.
• Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home. If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas. Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries at least once a year. Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time, so replace your smoke alarm every 10 years.
• Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department in the proper use of your extinguishers.
• Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.
• Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home. Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floors. Learn how to use escape ladders and store them near windows.
• Select a meeting place outside your home where everyone would go after escaping.
• Practice your escape plan, especially with children and older adults, at least twice a year and revise as necessary.

About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter provides emergency relief and preparedness training more than 410,000 times each year. The Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a United Way agency, provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of the American people. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.

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