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Winter Safety Tips
Campus Winter Safety
- Wear the right shoes for the weather! Make sure you have good traction
- Wear hat and gloves if the temperature is going to be below freezing.
- Wear layered clothing to help keep you warm.
- Report unsafe roads/sidewalks to Physical Plant and EH&S.
- Listen to the radio for updates should an ice storm develop overnight.
Keeping Warm in a Cold House—
If you loose heat during/after a winter storm
- Close off rooms you don't need and use only safe sources of heat, like wood and other fuel-burning stoves design for heating.
- Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing, and wear a cap -- most of your body heat is lost through your head.
- Sleep under several lightweight blankets instead of a single heavy one.
- Eat well-balanced meals and quick energy foods so your body can produce its own heat.
Fire Safety Tips
- Before you start a fire in a wood burning stove or fireplace, make sure
- there are no obvious cracks in the flue ,
- the chimney is structurally sound,
- that the flue is OPEN, and
- there is plenty of ventilation.
- Use only the fuel designed for your heater.
- Do not use charcoal to warm your house - the fumes may cause carbon monoxide.
- Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start or quicken a fire.
- Always keep a screen around an open flame and don't close the damper while ashes are still hot.
Winter Emergency Supply Kit
- The emergency supplies in your car should include items such as
- a blanket, a shovel,
- a flashlight or matches and candles,
- a bag of sand or kitty litter to help provide traction when trying to get moving on an ice road or parking lot, and
- quick energy foods.
- Keep your gas tank filled to prevent gas line freeze-up.
- If you must travel, listen to the radio to learn what streets or roads are open.
Physical Exertion
- Cold weather itself -- without any exercise -- puts an extra strain on your heart.
- More people die in winter cold waves than in any other weather phenomena.
- Heavy exertion associated with shoveling snow, pushing a car, or even walking fast in cold weather increases your chances for a heart attack or stroke.
- In cold weather, also watch for signs of hypothermia, especially in elderly people.
Winter preparation for cars and trucks:
- Make sure
- the battery has enough ‘cranking’ power for cold winter mornings,
- that the antifreeze has been checked,
- windshield washer fluid tank is full, and
- other routine maintenance items have been completed.
- Adjust your driving habits to reflect the weather conditions.
- Four-wheel drive vehicles do not do any better on ice than two-wheel drive vehicles, just more wheels to spin and slide.
- Drive slowly and avoid stepping on the brakes if you encounter ice.
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