Red Cross urges safety during winter conditions

A major winter storm is impacting millions of people in the central and eastern regions of the U.S. and the American Red Cross is urging those impacted to follow the safety steps below.

Snow has already fallen in much of Kansas, and significant snowfall is in the forecast for Oklahoma in the coming days, according to Matt Trotter, media contact. Temperatures below freezing have settled in. The storm has left hundreds of thousands of people without power or heat, caused dangerous road conditions, closed schools and forced the cancellation of thousands of flights.

GIVE BLOOD

The dangerous wintry conditions moving across the country this week have already caused the cancellation of about 100 blood drives and this number is expected to grow as the storm continues. As a result, more than 2,000 blood donations have gone uncollected so far in the new year. Where it is safe to do so, we encourage people to schedule a blood donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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 OUTAGES

If you’re using a generator to power your home, please keep it outside and away from doors, windows and vents to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

•Keep the generator 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.

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

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.

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.

HOME FIRE SAFETY

Red Cross Disaster Action Teams have responded to numerous single and multi-family home fires in recent days. Learn what to do should a fire start in your home.

Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and expert advice on wildfires in both English and Spanish. Search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps.