American Red Cross of Southwestern Indiana

Exposure to cold can cause injury or serious illness such as frostbite or hypothermia. The likelihood of injury or illness depends on factors such as physical activity, clothing, wind, humidity, working and living conditions, and a person's age and state of health. Follow these tips to stay safe in cold weather:

Dress appropriately before going outdoors. The air temperature does not have to be below freezing for someone to experience cold emergencies such as hypothermia and frostbite. Wind speed can create dangerously cold conditions even when the temperature is not that low.
- If possible, avoid being outside in the coldest part of the day, or for extended periods of time in extreme cold weather.
- Dress in layers so you can adjust to changing conditions. Avoid overdressing or overexertion that can lead to heat illness.
- Most of your body heat is lost through your head so wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.
- Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves.
- Wear waterproof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite by keeping your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.
- Take frequent breaks and stay hydrated.
- Get out of wet clothes immediately and warm the core body temperature with a blanket or warm fluids like hot cider or soup. Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol if you expect you or someone you are trying to help has hypothermia or frostbite.

Recognize the symptoms of hypothermia that can be a serious medical condition: confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.
Recognize frostbite warning signs: gray, white or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, waxy feeling skin. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.

To learn more about signals of and how to care for cold- or heat-related problems, take a Community First Aid and Safety course from the Southwestern Indiana Chapter.

Holiday traveling and winter can be a dangerous combination. Allow extra time when traveling. Monitor weather conditions carefully and adhere to travel advisories.

Keep a winter storm survival kit in your car. This should include blankets, food, flares, chains, gloves and first aid supplies.

Prepare for Home Heating Season
Become Red Cross Ready!

PREVENT FIRES

Make your home fire safe
* Check smoke detector batteries once a month
* Replace smoke detector batteries twice a year
* Have a fire extinguisher available and know how to use it
* Keep dryer vents clean
* Place lighters and matches out of the reach of children

Be Careful Cooking
* Do not leave unattended food cooking
* Put Baking Soda on Grease Fires, not Water

Escape from your home safely
* Make an escape plan and practice the route with your family
* Designate a place outside for everyone to meet at
* Once outside, stay out!
* Call 911 to report any home fires immediately

GET READY FOR ANYTHING

The American Red Cross Safe and Well Website is an internet-based tool that families can integrate into their family communications plan when preparing for disasters. The Safe and Well site is a public website that allows those affected by disaster to register themselves as “safe and well” by selecting and posting standard messages for friends and family that indicate they are at a shelter, home or hotel, and will make contact when they are able. Concerned family members who know the person's current phone number (home, cell or work) or a complete home address can search for the messages posted by those who register. To connect, click on the banner link above.