Winter Safety
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The view west from Echo Ridge, Chelan Washington (Photo by J. Leach).
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It feels like just yesterday we were enjoying nice, mild fall weather here in central Washington, and now, with our first snowstorm behind us, winter is well on its way. This week’s blog is devoted to ways that we can all stay safe this winter.
First off, it’s confusing trying to keep track of the different types of warnings that news programs broadcast (along with dramatic scenes of weather-caused chaos) to inform you about weather that is coming your way. Here’s an explanation of the various winter weather terms (from NOAA's National Weather Service website):
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WINTER STORM WATCH: Severe winter conditions, such as heavy snow and/or ice, are possible within the next day or two. Prepare now!
WINTER STORM WARNING: Severe winter conditions have begun or are about to begin in your area. Stay indoors!
BLIZZARD WARNING: Snow and strong winds will combine to produce a blinding snow (near zero visibility), deep drifts, and life-threatening wind chill. Seek refuge immediately!
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY: conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. If caution is exercised, these situations should not become life- threatening. The greatest hazard is often to motorists.
FROST/FREEZE WARNING: Below freezing temperatures are expected and may cause significant damage to plants, crops, or fruit trees.
If you do venture out in stormy weather and have the misfortune of getting stuck in your vehicle…
(From http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/guides/winterstorms.html)
Stay in the vehicle. Do not leave the vehicle to search for assistance unless help is visible within 100 yards. You may become disoriented and lost in blowing and drifting snow. Display a trouble sign by hanging a brightly colored cloth on the radio antenna and raising the hood. Turn on the vehicle's engine for about 10 minutes each hour and run the heat to keep warm. Also, turn on the vehicle's dome light when the vehicle is running as an additional signal. Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and open a downwind window slightly for ventilation. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Do minor exercises to keep up circulation. Clap hands and move arms and legs occasionally. Try not to stay in one position for too long. If more than one person is in the vehicle, take turns sleeping. For warmth, huddle together. Use newspapers, maps, and even the removable car mats for added insulation. Avoid overexertion since cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a vehicle can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse. Be aware of symptoms of dehydration.
And make sure that when you do head outside– whether for snow-filled fun or just to run errands– to dress appropriately (because you just never know!)…
(From http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winterstorm/winterstorms.pdf)
Wear loose-fitting, light-weight, warm clothing in several layers. Trapped air insulates. Layers can be removed to avoid perspiration and subsequent chill. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded. Wear a hat. Half your body heat loss can be from the head. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves. Try to stay dry.
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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Field-with-snow-champ-enneige.jpg (photo by E. Boutet)
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There is plenty you can do at the beginning of winter to be prepared:
- Be sure to have an emergency kit in your house AND in your car (and also check for kits at work, your child’s daycare, etc.). For a list of kit supplies, and much more about winter preparedness, visit these websites:
- Know ahead of time what you should do to help elderly or disabled friends or neighbors
- Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk as more people tend to enjoy and/or depend on alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.
- Make sure all your animals have access to a good supply of non-frozen drinking water, as dehydration is one of the main dangers to animals during the winter season.
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Another way to be prepared for whatever nature might throw your way (regardless of the time of year), is to create a plan for what to do if family members get separated during a disaster. One main component of a family disaster plan is choosing an emergency contact. This should be someone who lives out-of-area, as local lines often get tied up during an emergency. A back-up emergency contact should also be chosen and all family members should know where and how to access that person’s contact information.
Find all the information you will need to create a plan in the Red Cross “Family Disaster Plan” publication.
A word from “Picture the Wenatchee”
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photo by J. Leach
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Ice can be a real safety hazard. I’ve already taken a few good falls walking down my road this year! As you deliberate on how to deal with icy conditions this winter, please consider this:
Rock salt and similar de-icing compounds can be very detrimental to the environment, our vehicles and bridges, our gardens and lawns, our pets, even us. These compounds, when concentrated (as they are in de-icing agents) are toxic to plants (note the brown vegetation along the highways), and stick around in soils, hindering water-uptake in plants and soil-dwelling organisms. They seep into waterways and cause issues for aquatic animals and plants. They can seep into our groundwater supplies. Some can be corrosive to metal, and cause burns on skin and pet paws. And if you’ve got a dog (or a child for that matter) who likes to eat everything, ingested de-icing compounds can make them miserably sick.
So, what to do?!
The best thing, of course, is to not use de-icers at all!
The best thing, of course, is to not use de-icers at all!
o Try to keep up with snowfall, and shovel or sweep paths and driveways clear before that snow compacts and turns to ice.
o Break up ice manually. It’s a great workout!
o Use sand instead. It won’t melt the ice, but will provide traction. Be sure to sweep and dispose of it when it is no longer needed, as sand can accumulate pollutants that can be transferred to our waterways via runoff.
o Invest in some attachable traction devices for your shoes. And I use the word “invest” lightly; most of these products cost $20 and under, and work amazingly well!
If you do still decide to de-ice chemically…
o Follow the manufacturer instructions and know the maximum amount to apply to avoid over-application (start slow, you may not need nearly the amount specified).
o Choose a product with a mixture of chemicals to minimize the accumulation of any one compound.
o Throw down a small amount of de-icer BEFORE a significant snow fall to help reduce the amount of product needed.
o Once the product loosens up the ice or snow pack, shovel the area so it won’t refreeze (the snowmelt will dilute the effectiveness of the chemicals if you just let it sit). Then keep the pavement dry so you won’t need to do another application.
o On dry days, sweep up and dispose of loose salt and de-icer to prevent the excess being washed into nearby waterways.
o Learn more about the products you are using. There’s some great information online. (You can start by looking at the “De-icer” references at the end of this post).
Changing your de-icing habits is another way to be a watershed steward! Visit our "Picture the Wenatchee" website to learn about other things you can do to improve water quality in your watershed!
And with that, have a safe AND happy winter!
Your Friend in Conservation,
Julia
References:
Winter Safety
http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/winter.html
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter/index.shtml
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/guides/winterstorms.html
http://www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/code/family_disaster_plan.pdf
De-icer
http://www.greenlivingonline.com/article/alternatives-rock-salt
http://ag.udel.edu/ncc/jm-icemelt.html
http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/rock-salt-alternatives/
http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/rock-salt-alternatives/
http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/gfcp/index.htm#icemelt
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