A winter snowfall can go from beautiful to deadly in just a few hours. Whether you're at home, on the street, or camping in a wild place, it's important to know how to stay safe until the sun comes out again. Read on to learn how to survive a winter blizzard and be prepared for the next one.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Keep Safe if It Catches You Outdoors
Step 1. Stay inside the car or in the tent
When the snow starts to accumulate and it becomes clear that you are stuck on the road or camping, your best bet is to stay there. Venturing out into the snow increases the likelihood of death in this type of situation, as visibility is usually close to freezing and the temperature and wind are unpredictable it is best not to risk it. Crouch and organize to wait for the blizzard to subside.
- If you are with other people, don't ask one of them to go for help. This is very risky and may not end well. It is important to be together until the storm is over or you are rescued.
- If you're stuck outdoors without a car or awning, some sort of shelter is imperative. Look for a cave or ledge, or get a tarp or other materials that you can use to create a shelter. If you have no alternative, build a snow cave to use to protect yourself.
Step 2. Keep warm and dry
Keep the openings or flap of the tent closed while you are inside. Wrap your coat, blanket, towel, or any other type of material you have with you around your body to stay warm and avoid freezing. If you are with another person, use that person's body heat as well.
- If you are in a wild place, light a fire nearby to keep warm and to attract attention.
- If you are in a car, leave the engine and heater on to keep you warm. However, it is very important not to keep the engine running if the exhaust pipe is clogged with snow; This could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which is deadly.
Step 3. Stay hydrated
This is a very important way to keep your body healthy while trapped. If you don't have water, stay hydrated by melting and drinking snow. Put some in a container and melt it using the fire you have lit or the car heater.
- Don't eat the snow. This is bad for the body. Instead, melt it and drink it.
- If you have food, rationalize it to last several days. Don't eat full meals.
Step 4. Determine what to do when the blizzard is over
When the snow stops falling and the sun returns, your physical condition will help you decide what to do. You may be able to dig, to get out of the car or the tent, or to walk. If this seems impossible, wait for help to arrive.
- If you are on the road, you can be pretty sure that help will come soon. There are people who have survived in the car for more than a week waiting for help, so rest assured.
- If you are in a wild place and you are afraid that no one will find you, you may need to make your own arrangements to find help. Gather your things and move in the direction of civilization.
Step 5. Get medical attention if necessary
If you or someone in your group is hypothermic, take off your wet, cold clothes immediately and use hot water bottles and hot fluids to warm yourself. Read How to Treat Hypothermia for detailed instructions to manage this serious condition.
Part 2 of 3: Taking Home Security Measures
Step 1. Stay indoors as much as possible
During a blizzard or snowstorm, visibility can be very limited, even during the day. Snowdrifts can hide the usual landmarks. Getting lost and not being able to return to the shelter is a real possibility.
- Keep warm and dry when you go outside. Wear several layers of clothing, light and warm, rather than just one garment. The outer garments should be very tightly knitted and water repellent. Most of the heat escapes from the body through the top of the head and feet, so always wear a hat and mittens, which are warmer than gloves.
- Be careful not to get wet with water or sweat - this can cause problems for the body. The skin should remain dry and moderately warm.
Step 2. Keep a backup heating system
Winter storms can interrupt the supply of electricity, and when this happens, the house will quickly become cold. In addition to having plenty of blankets available, it is advisable to light a fire in the fireplace to generate more heat, or to use a power generator.
- Never light a grill or charcoal stove inside the house. This could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Using a generator indoors is also very dangerous.
- Keep the family in a central location in the house and close the doors to other rooms. This will concentrate the heat in one area, which will be easier to heat than the whole house.
Step 3. Stay hydrated and nourished
Drink fluids and eat a lot to conserve the body's energy and prevent dehydration.
Step 4. Shovel safely
Many heart attacks and back injuries occur when people accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle attempt to shovel snow. It is very heavy work. If you don't exercise regularly, see if a neighbor has a snow blower or is willing to help you shovel. Shovel calmly, take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water.
Step 5. Clear the roof
After a very heavy snowfall, it may be necessary to clear the roof, ideally with a suitable rake. Otherwise the weight of the snow can damage the house, particularly flat or low-pitched roofs. Make sure the vents and chimneys are clear to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. During a power failure you cannot have a functioning monoxide sensor.
Step 6. Make sure others survived the blizzard
When the storm has passed, and you are safe, worry about the neighbors, especially the elderly. Check if the property has been damaged and repair dangerous things. Remain aware of the possibility that the blizzard has a "second wave".
Worry about cleaning. If the storm has left snow, shovel the sidewalks. Dig the nearest hydrant. Find and free the car from the snow
Part 3 of 3: Prepare for an Oncoming Winter Blizzard
Step 1. Check the local news
Some storms come suddenly, but usually the local weather can give some warning that there is the possibility of a storm. Also, during a storm, the radio can give you information on intensity, direction and other emergency information.
Step 2. Stock up on supplies
Store enough medications, food, water, fuel, toilet paper, diapers, and so on at home. Make sure you have enough supplies to last at least a week. Make sure the first aid kit is well stocked. Get plenty of sheets and blankets.
- Get lots of candles and matches. When the electricity goes out, you will need to have light to see. Make sure you have extra batteries. Always be careful when using candles.
- Buy self-powered radios and flashlights. Some of these models will also recharge the mobile phone. Also buy chemical light sticks.
- Make sure you have water. Clean the bathtub, and fill it, this is a good way to conserve water. You can quickly pour water directly into the toilet bowl to empty it. If things turn for the worst, you can melt the snow to get water.
Step 3. Shut off the water supply and open the taps
This will prevent the water from freezing in the pipes and breaking them, thus avoiding future costly damage.
Step 4. Keep a backup heating system
Make a fireplace, wood stove, or kerosene stove available to keep you warm. You could also purchase a backup electricity generator. Make sure you know how to use these sources safely, and have appropriate fuel on hand. Worry about saving energy if a long outage is expected.
Advice
- Stop to have a blast in the snow. Assuming it's safe outside go for a walk, enjoy the car-free silence and tranquility on the streets. Make a snowman. Admire the glitter of the icicles.
- If the local electricity company has an interrupted power line, you can report the interruption and ask for information on the restoration.
- Save fuel and water as much as possible. Even though most power outages are only for a few hours or days, this may last longer. You don't know how long you will be without energy or assistance.
- Consider the outside temperature when making decisions. If the temperature is higher than freezing, you have different options with respect to when it is very cold outside. You can be in a cold house, be a little uncomfortable, and not be in danger. It uses any fuel for cooking food and to heat the water rather than trying to heat the house a few degrees.
- Use emergency shelters if they are available and you need them. If the house you are staying in is not safe, especially if you have small children, elderly or sick people in the house, consider this. There are no medals to do your own thing.
- Don't forget that you have several liters of drinking water in your water heater. Take some if necessary. If you take it all, make sure you turn off the water heater and that there is water before turning it back on.
Warnings
- If there are any downed power lines, keep well away from them. The knocked down power lines can still carry electricity (even if the switch is turned off) with voltages that can be lethal. Call the electricity company to warn them of the danger.
- Ice and snow are heavy. Much of the damage during blizzards comes from broken tree branches and snow falling from roofs. When you are outdoors, make sure you are not in danger.
- Maintain good ventilation when using gas and kerosene stoves and heaters.
- Drive as little as possible; stay away from the roads so as not to get in the way of traffic for emergency management and people seeking refuge.
- Keep dry. Despite the cold, you could sweat a lot. Wet clothing loses its insulating qualities and quickly transmits heat out of the body. Change your clothing often and stay dry, especially when you are outdoors.
