Winter Weather Brings Power Outages and Cold Conditions

Winter conditions are impacting the region. Many residents across Washington lost power.

The American Red Cross Northwest Region is offering tips to stay safe and be prepared in potentially dangerous winter conditions.

DURING A POWER OUTAGE

Staying Safe Indoors

• Use flashlights in the dark, not candles.
• Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out and roads will be congested.
• If you are using a generator be sure you understand the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to use generators safely. Never operate a generator inside homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, sheds or other partially enclosed spaces, even if using a fan or opening doors and windows. Carbon Monoxide (CO) can quickly build up in these spaces and linger for hours after a generator is shut down. Place your generator outside, well away from doors and windows.

Food Safety

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
• First use perishable food from the refrigerator. Perishables should have a temperature of 40 degrees or below to be safe to eat. Then use food from the freezer.
• If it looks like the power outage will continue beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items.
• Keep food in a dry, cool spot and keep it covered at all times.

Electrical Equipment

• Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.
• Turn off or disconnect any appliances (like stoves), equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.
• Leave one light turned on so you'll know when the power comes back on.

IF YOU MUST GO OUTSIDE:

• Wear layered clothing, mittens or gloves, and a hat. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Mittens or gloves and a hat will prevent the loss of body heat.
• Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from severely cold air. Avoid taking deep breaths; minimize talking.
• Watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
• Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses much of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly away from the body.
• Stretch before you go out. If you go out to shovel snow, do a few stretching exercises to warm up your body. This will reduce your chances of muscle injury.
• Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling heavy snow, pushing a vehicle, or walking in deep snow. The strain from the cold and the hard labor may cause a heart attack. Sweating could lead to a chill and hypothermia.
• Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks. Slips and falls occur frequently in winter weather, resulting in painful and sometimes disabling injuries.
• If you must go out during a winter storm, use public transportation if possible. About 70% of winter deaths related to ice and snow occur in automobiles

DRIVING IN WINTER CONDITIONS

Dangerous travel conditions, especially in the mountain passes, is forecast. The Red Cross urges everyone to stay off the road if possible during severe weather. If you must drive in winter weather conditions, follow these tips:

• In your vehicle keep a windshield scraper, small broom, small sack of sand for generating traction under wheels, a set of tire chains or traction mats, matches in a waterproof container and a brightly colored (preferably red) cloth to tie to the antenna. Also carry an emergency supply kit, including warm clothing and shoes.
• Keep your vehicle's gas tank full so you can leave right away in an emergency and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Make sure everyone has their seat belts on and give your full attention to the road.
• Don't follow other vehicles too closely. Sudden stops are difficult on snowy or icy roadways.
• Don't use cruise control when driving in winter weather.
• Don't pass snowplows.
• Ramps, bridges and overpasses freeze before roadways do.
• If you become stranded, stay in the vehicle and wait for help. Do not leave the vehicle to search for assistance unless help is visible within 100 yards. You can quickly become disoriented and confused in winter storm conditions.

-- Display a trouble sign to indicate you need help. Hang a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) on the radio antenna and raise the hood (after snow stops falling).
--Run the engine occasionally to keep warm. Turn on the engine for about 10 minutes each hour (or five minutes every half hour). Running the engine for only short periods reduces the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and conserves fuel. Use the heater while the engine is running. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and slightly open a downwind window for ventilation.
--Whenever the car is running, turn on the overhead light so you can be seen.

More winter safety information can be found at www.redcross.org/winterstorm.

The Red Cross urges you to PLEASE GIVE BLOOD

Severe winter weather can have a negative impact on the blood supply. Inclement weather, road conditions and power outages often result in the cancellation of blood drives and a shortfall of blood and platelet donations. The American Red Cross is facing an emergency blood shortage as it experiences the lowest number of people giving blood in the last 20 years. Blood and platelet donations are needed now to help alleviate the shortage and ensure lifesaving medical procedures proceed without delay.

To find a blood drive near you, to host a blood drive or to schedule an appointment to give blood, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To learn more about hosting a blood drive and to sign up to sponsor a drive this winter, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.  

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