American Red Cross Offers Safety Tips for Winter Weather

As winter weather moves into the St. Louis area, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter wants to encourage the public to prepare for extreme conditions. The Red Cross stands ready to provide emergency assistance as needed.  People should prepare for the unexpected, knowing that severe weather can trap them at home, without utilities or other services.

“It is always important to be aware of your surroundings, and to check the weather conditions before traveling,” said Nicole Holtgrefe , director of preparedness and client services for the 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.”

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:

• Have extra blankets on hand.
• Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water-resistant boots.
• Check your home smoke alarms. If necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries at least once a year.

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, 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.
• Keep the gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
• 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.

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.