FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 10, 2007
FACT SHEET – Inclement weather precautions
Steps to take with a power outage due to ice
• Avoid letting drafts indoors — use rolled blankets or clothing to block drafts from around doors or windows.
• Your best source of warmth is your own body heat. Layer your clothing, use multiple blankets and huddle together.
• Use cold weather materials. Quilts, sleeping bags and coats filled with down or other cold weather insulating materials are especially good for conserving body heat. Wool and similar natural fibers are good, too.
• Surround your body with insulation. If you sleep on the floor, keep good insulating padding between your body and the surface. Wear heavy socks and gloves, and keep your head covered — much body heat is lost through these areas.
• Select one room to come together. Basements can be good because they are often the most stable for temperature. If possible, choose a location with limited exposure to outside walls.
• Keep a portable radio handy. Tune to a station that offers regular news and weather to stay aware of important information. Keep in touch with friends or relatives by telephone if possible. Have extra batteries available.
• Avoid candles and open flames as light sources. If you must use candles, use them sparingly and very carefully. Never leave a candle unattended, and never burn candles while sleeping. Make certain that your smoke detector is working.
• Do not use gas burners, charcoal grills or other flames as sources for heat. These greatly increase the risk of fire and add to the deadly risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Minimizing risks from fire, falls and carbon monoxide
• Electrical fires are a concern that increases as power is restored. Damaged lines into homes and buildings become potential sources for ignition when re-energized. Be certain that you have working smoke detectors in your home.
• Take caution walking or driving as ice is not always visible. Falling power lines and falling tree limbs can be a major danger, as can icicles and ice chunks falling as things begin to thaw. Do not attempt to clear debris from your yard until things have stabilized. Avoid being beneath trees, power lines or areas of heavy ice accumulation.
• Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and extremely lethal. Carbon monoxide is present whenever combustion takes place. Gas burners, kerosene, charcoal grills or other flame sources produce carbon monoxide, which accumulates in your home and in your body, becoming increasing dangerous over time. The steps you take to reduce drafts also keep any carbon monoxide produced in your home trapped inside. Before you are fully aware of your symptoms, you may have accumulated levels that can cause serious and lasting problems.
Facts to help neighbors
• Check on your neighbors and friends. Those who have lost power also have lost television and radio signals. Call (most phones will still work), drop by or ask someone geographically close to do that for you. Make certain that folks you know who may be in need are contacted.
• Take folks in if you are able. If you have power and heat, share your home with those you know who do not. Power generally is restored progressively over a few days. Open your hearts and open your homes.
• If your church, school or group can help, let us know. The Red Cross serves as the clearinghouse for shelter services. If you can offer even limited aid to larger groups of folks, contact them so they’ll know what you can offer and to whom. They can be reached at (816) 931-8400.
• Those who have sheltering needs should call the Red Cross. The Greater Kansas City Chapter of American Red Cross will be helping those in need of shelter to locate a shelter that meets their needs. Again, that contact number is (816) 931-8400.
