Series of Winter Storms Headed to Eastern Half of U.S.; Follow these Safety Steps

As winter storms cover a large part of the country, the American Red Cross offers these steps to help keep you and your loved ones safe. You can view this information with help from an ASL interpreter here.

Old Man Winter isn’t done yet. Conditions are favorable for a series of winter storms to hit the eastern half of the country.

The first storm is affecting millions of people in the eastern United States this week, with sleet, freezing rain and snow. This will likely lead to hazardous travel conditions, power outages and downed trees. Some communities are also under tornado watches and could see 75 mph winds.

The next storm will start this weekend, bringing the same conditions to the same areas of the country and additional storms are possible next week. For some areas, there could be less than a day between wintry weather.

In areas facing these new winter storm risks, the American Red Cross is coordinating with local officials to ensure support is available if needed.

PLEASE GIVE BLOOD  Since the beginning of the year, hundreds of blood drives have been canceled and more than 15,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected due to ongoing severe winter weather and emergencies like the southern California wildfires.

More donors are needed now to help the blood supply recover from the significant shortfall in blood products that are vital for lifesaving medical procedures. As February continues, so does the potential for additional weather systems to disrupt blood drives and the ability to provide blood and platelets to hospital patients

The American Red Cross strongly urges donors who are in an area where it is safe to travel to give blood or platelets in February to help build up the blood supply. Find a donation opportunity and schedule an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org, 1-800-RED CROSS or the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma from Jan. 27 – Feb. 28 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Additional details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/Flurry.

If you live in a community threatened by this winter weather, follow these safety steps:

WINTER SAFETY Stay warm indoors. If your home becomes too cold, go to a public library, shopping mall or warming center.

• Use care with space heaters and fireplaces to prevent fires. Keep anything that could catch fire at least 3 feet from the heat. Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

• Use battery-powered lights and flashlights instead of candles to prevent fires.

• To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, don’t use an oven to heat your home.

• Carbon monoxide kills. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak, get to fresh air right away.

• If you must go outside, wear layers of loose clothing, a coat, hat, mittens and water-resistant boots. Use a scarf to cover your face and mouth.

• Check on loved ones and neighbors to make sure they are staying warm, particularly if they are older or live alone.

• Be careful walking on snow or ice and avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. If possible, work with a partner and take frequent breaks.

• Stay off the roads when possible. If you become stranded, stay in the vehicle and wait for help.

Stay warm to avoid frostbite and hypothermia. Your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes are often the first areas affected.

• Signs of frostbite include pain, numbness or a change in skin color.

• Signs of hypothermia, which can be deadly, often include shivering, confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech.

• Act fast and get out of the cold immediately if you see signs of hypothermia or frostbite.

• Get emergency medical care right away.

POWER OUTAGE To prepare for a power outage, make a plan of what to do and how to stay connected.

• Consider your electrical needs and, in the event of an outage, ask yourself how you will stay warm or cool, make food, have clean water and communicate with others.

• If you need to keep medications cool or use medical devices that need power, discuss a backup plan with your doctor.

• In some situations, it may not be safe to stay home, so know where you will go if you need to evacuate, how you will get there and where you will stay.

During a power outage, unplug appliances and electronics to avoid damage from power surges. Leave one light on, so you’ll know when power is restored.

• Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns — not candles to avoid fires.

• Don’t drive unless necessary. Traffic lights will be out and roads could be congested.

• Decide if you need to stay or go if your home is too hot or cold, or if you have medical devices that need power.

To prevent illness, keep food cold. When in doubt, throw it out.

• Eat fresh, perishable foods first.

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to help keep food cold. Use coolers with ice if necessary.

• Measure the food temperature in your refrigerator and freezer with a thermometer. Throw out perishable food that has been warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you’re using a generator, keep it dry and don’t use it in wet conditions.

• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning device inside a home, garage, basement or other partially enclosed area. Keep this equipment outside and away from doors, windows and vents, which could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

• Operate the generator on a dry surface and don’t touch a generator with wet hands.

• Turn the generator off and let it cool down before refueling. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could catch fire.

• Plug appliances directly into the generator. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.

TORNADO SAFETY Stay informed about potential thunderstorms and tornadoes by monitoring local weather reports and signing up for free emergency alerts from your local government. A WATCH means be prepared as tornadoes are possible and you should be ready to act fast. A WARNING means take action now as a tornado is near and you need to move to a safe location right away.

If a tornado warning is issued or if you suspect a tornado, go to your safe place immediately.

• After getting to your safe shelter, use your arms to protect your head and neck.

• Keep listening to radio, TV or other news sources. Stay in your shelter until the tornado warning ends.

• If the building you are in has been damaged, exit with extreme care and stay out. Look around for things that might fall or are dangerous.

• Do not use matches or lighters inside. If you smell gas or see spills that could be flammable, leave immediately.

• If you are trapped, try to cover your mouth with a cloth or mask to avoid breathing dust. Try to send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead of shouting.