- Try to stay dry.
- Cover all exposed body parts.
- Build a lean-to, windbreak or snow cave for protection from the wind.
- Build a fire for heat and to attract attention.
- Place rocks around the ﬁ re to absorb and reflect heat.
- Melt snow for drinking water.
- Eating snow will lower your body temperature.
In a Vehicle
Stay in the vehicle:
- You will become quickly disoriented in wind-driven snow and cold.
- Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat.
- Open the window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked.
Be visible to rescuers:
- Turn on the dome light at night when running the engine.
- Tie a colored cloth, preferably red, to your antenna or door.
- After snow stops falling, raise the hood to indicate you need help.
- From time to time, move arms, legs, fingers and toes vigorously to keep blood circulating and to keep warm.
- When using alternate heat from a ﬁ replace, wood stove, space heater, etc., use fire safeguards and properly ventilate.
- Close off unneeded rooms.
- Stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors.
- Cover windows at night.
- Eat and drink. Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat. Keep the body replenished with ﬂuids to prevent dehydration.
- Wear layers of loose-ﬁtting, lightweight, warm clothing. Remove layers to avoid overheating, perspiration and subsequent chill.
|The above is an excerpt from the article, “Winter Storms: Deceptive Killers.” For more information, please visit www.nws.noaa.gov.|