Dangerous cold temperatures and life-threatening wind chills, along with heavy snow and rain are expected over the next few days for Pennsylvania and the American Red Cross has steps you should take to stay safe if you are in the path of this winter weather.

Please take immediate precautions if you hear these words on the news:

Winter Storm WARNING:
Life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours.

Blizzard WARNING:
Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 miles per hour or greater, plus considerable falling or blowing snow reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile, expected to prevail for three hours or longer.

WIND CHILL Temperature:
How cold people and animals feel when outside. As wind increases, heat is carried away from your body at a faster rate, driving down your body temperature and making you feel much colder. The wind chill temperature is not the actual temperature but rather how wind and cold feel on exposed skin.

Winter Storm WATCH:
Winter storm conditions possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. 

It’s important to prepare now to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your home. Click on any of the sections below for additional winter weather safety information.

Before The Storm

• Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking, and weather stripping. 
• Inspect your water pipes and take steps to protect them from from freezing.
• Have a snow shovel and ice-melting products to keep your walkways safe.
• Plan to check on loved ones and neighbors to make sure they are staying warm, especially for older adults and babies.
• Know where you will go if your home becomes too cold - a friend’s house, a public library, or a warming center.
• Ensure you have enough warm clothing, such as hats, mittens, and blankets, for everyone in your household.   
• Bring pets indoors. If they can’t come inside, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water. 
• Consider having emergency supplies in your vehicle, such as a blanket, warm clothing, a first aid kit, and boots.
• You may lose access to drinking water. Set aside at least one gallon of drinking water per person per day. 
• Sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government and monitor local weather and news.
• Have a backup battery or a way to charge your cell phone along with a battery-powered radio to use during a power outage.
• Download the FREE Red Cross Emergency App in the Apple Store or Google Play - Aplicación de Emergencias - ahora disponible en español » también!
  
  

During The Storm

• Drink plenty of warm fluids but avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• If you need to go outside, use extreme caution when driving or walking on ice.
• Dress properly: Keep your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes covered in warm, dry clothing. These areas are the first to be at risk for frostbite. 
• Wear layers of loose clothing, a coat, hat, mittens, and water-resistant boots and use a scarf to cover your face and mouth.
• Avoid damaged or fallen power lines. They can electrocute you. Be aware of branches, trees, and ice that may fall. 
• Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Take frequent breaks and, if possible, work with a partner.      

Know the Signs: Watch for Hypothermia & Frostbite

• Hypothermia symptoms include confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Hypothermia can kill you. It occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat. This causes a dangerously low body temperature. Older adults, babies, children, and people with certain health conditions are more at risk. Shivering is one of the first signs of hypothermia; other signs include confusion, drowsiness, and slurred speech. Seek emergency medical care right away. Move to a warm place and remove any wet clothing and warm the body slowly.

• Frostbite symptoms include numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, or waxy feeling skin. Frostbite is when a part of your body freezes. Your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes often are the first affected. People may experience pain, numbness, and a change of skin color.
  Move to a warm place. Warm the affected area gently by soaking in warm water (NOT hot) until the skin appears normal and feels warm. Seek emergency medical care.
  
  

Heat Your Home Safely  

• All heaters need space. Keep children, pets and things that can burn (paper, matches, bedding, furniture, clothing, carpets, and rugs) at least three feet away from heating equipment. 
• If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs, carpets or near bedding or drapes. 
• Plug power cords directly into outlets - never into an extension cord or power strip.
• Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended, and use a glass or metal fire screen to keep fire and embers in the fireplace. 
• Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
• Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep.
  
  

Travel Safety

• Stay off the road if possible during severe weather, but if you must drive, keep emergency supplies in your vehicle including a blanket, warm clothing, a first aid kit, and boots.
• Don’t follow other vehicles too closely, sudden stops are difficult on snowy roadways. 
• Don’t use cruise control when driving in winter weather.
• Don’t pass snow plows.
• Ramps, bridges and overpasses freeze before roadways.
• If you become stranded, stay in your vehicle and wait for help. Do not leave the vehicle to search for assistance unless help is visible.
• Run the engine occasionally to keep warm. Turn on the engine for about 10 minutes each hour. Use the heater while the engine is running. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and slightly open a downwind window for ventilation.

Power Outages

• 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. Never use a generator indoors or in a garage. It must be kept outside in a well-ventilated area.
• 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. If it looks like the power outage will continue beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items.
• 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.

If you do nothing else, do this: 

• Listen to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.
• Be prepared to evacuate if you lose power or heat and know your routes and destinations. 
• Find a local emergency shelter.
• Check emergency kit and replenish any items missing or in short supply, especially medications and medical supplies. Keep it nearby.
• Be sure you have ample heating fuel.If you have alternative heating sources, such as fireplaces, wood- or coal-burning stoves, or space heaters, be sure they are clean and in working order.
• Bring your companion animals inside and ensure that your horses and livestock have blankets if appropriate and unimpeded access to shelter, food, and non-frozen water.