Over the last five years weather events and injuries have increased. The largest number of reported injuries resulted from tornadoes, ice storms, and thunderstorms and wind. If you do not have to go outdoors the best advice is to stay inside and curl up with a good movie or book.
Cold Weather Safety
Prepare for a Winter Storm
During extremely cold weather or winter storms, staying warm and safe can be a challenge. Winter storms can bring cold temperatures, power failures, loss of communication services, and icy roads. To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, you should know how to prepare your home and your car before a winter storm hits.
Stay Safe During & After a Winter Storm
Winter storms are dangerous. They can bring cold temperatures, power failures, loss of communication services, and icy roads. This can make being outside dangerous, so you should limit your time outside. Although staying indoors as much as possible can help reduce the risk of car crashes and falls on the ice, you may also face hazards inside your home.
Prevent Hypothermia & Frostbite
Hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature) and frostbite are both dangerous conditions that can happen when a person is exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Stay safe this winter by learning more about hypothermia and frostbite, including who is most at risk, signs and symptoms, and what to do if someone develops hypothermia or frostbite.
Bring Your Pets Indoors
If you have pets, bring them indoors. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they have access to unfrozen water.
Pets and animals are impacted by emergencies. It is critical to include their needs in your family’s preparedness efforts.
Avoid Injuries While Enjoying the Winter Weather
Whether you are skiing, snowboarding, sledding or skating, take safety precautions such as learning basic skills and using the appropriate gear for the sport.
Prepare Your Car for Winter
In addition to annual maintenance, here are some tips to winterize your car:
- Test your battery; battery power drops as the temperature drops
- Make sure the cooling system is in good working order
- Have winter tires with a deeper, more flexible tread put on your car
- If using all-season tires, check the tread on your tires and replace if less than 2/32 of an inch
- Check the tire pressure; tire pressure drops as the temperature drops
- Check your wiper blades and replace if needed
- Add wiper fluid rated for -30 degrees
- Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze
The National Safety Council eliminates preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy.
Treat Frostbite Immediately
Use first aid to help someone who may have hypothermia or frostbite. Online and classroom courses are available at workplaces and other organizations through National Safety Council (NSC). Download the NSC first aid app and you will be ready to give first aid for frostbite, hypothermia and many other emergencies.
Ice Strength and Safety
Always use caution while fishing or recreating on ice.
How can you tell if ice is safe?
There are no guarantees. Always consider ice to be potentially dangerous. You can't judge ice conditions by appearance or thickness alone; many other factors like water depth, size of waterbody, water chemistry, currents, snow cover, age of ice, and local weather conditions impact ice strength.
Ice tips to remember:
- New ice is stronger than old ice. Four inches of clear, newly formed ice may support one person on foot, while a foot or more of old, partially thawed ice may not.
- Ice doesn't freeze uniformly. Continue to check ice conditions frequently as you venture out onto the ice.
- Ice formed over flowing water and currents is often more dangerous. Avoid traveling onto ice-bound rivers and streams, as the currents make ice thickness unpredictable. Many lakes and ponds may contain spring holes and other areas of currents that can create deceptively dangerous thin spots.
Before heading out onto the ice
- Tell someone your plans, including where you are going and when you expect to return.
- Come prepared. Carry a cell phone in case of emergency. Always carry ice picks and rope with you on the ice. In case of emergency, drive the nails into the ice and pull yourself to safety while kicking (see tips for falling in below).
- Wear your life jacket. If you fall in, a life jacket will keep you at the surface and can provide insulation against the effects of cold water.
Ice thickness guidelines
The guidelines below are for clear, blue ice on lakes and ponds. White ice or snow ice is only about half as strong as new clear ice and can be very treacherous. Use an ice chisel, auger, or cordless drill to make a hole in the ice and determine its thickness and condition. Bring a tape measure to check ice thickness at regular intervals.
| Ice Thickness (inches) | Permissible Load (on new clear/blue ice on lakes or ponds) |
| 2" or less | STAY OFF! |
| 4" | Ice fishing or other activities on foot |
| 5" | Snowmobile or ATV |
| 8"–12" | Car or small pickup truck |
| 12"–15" | Medium truck |
If you fall in:
- Don't panic: Call for help if there are people nearby.
- Don't remove winter clothing: Air trapped in your clothes can provide warmth and help you float.
- Turn the direction you came from: Ice you previously walked on should be the safest.
- Place your hands and arms on an unbroken surface and kick your legs: If you have ice picks or a pair of nails, use them to pull yourself up onto the ice while kicking.
- Lie flat and roll away: Once your torso is on firm ice, roll toward thicker ice to distribute your weight.
- Find shelter and get warm: Change out of wet clothing and find warm, dry coverings. If you are in a remote area, get to or start a campfire. Otherwise, get to a car or house. Seek medical advice from your physician for medical attention.
If someone else falls in:
Remember the phrase "Preach-Reach-Throw-Go."
- Preach: Call 911 if you can. Shout to the victim to reassure them help is on the way.
- Reach: If you can safely reach them from shore, extend an object like a rope, jumper cables, tree branch, or ladder to them.
- Throw: Toss one end of a rope or something that will float to the victim.
- Go: If the situation is too dangerous for you to perform a rescue, call 911 or go to find help. Untrained rescuers can become victims themselves.
If a pet falls in:
Do not attempt to rescue the pet, go find help. Well-meaning pet owners can easily become victims themselves when trying to assist their pets. Remember to always keep pets leashed while walking on or near ice.
Tornado | Rain and Floods | Earthquakes | Lightning | Volcanoes | Winter Storm
Disaster Safety Plans
Basic Disaster Supplies Kit
Download Emergency Preparedness Checklist
A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.
Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below. Most of the items are inexpensive and easy to find, and any one of them could save your life. Headed to the store? Download a printable version to take with you. Once you take a look at the basic items, consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets, or seniors.
Checklist on Emergency Preparedness
A Family Communication Plan A Family Communication Plan - Spanish Version All-Hazards Preparedness Guide Backpack Emergency Card Backpack Emergency Card - Spanish Version Emergency Kit Checklist Emergency Kit Checklist - Spanish Version Family Communication Plan Template Pet Emergency Kit Pet Emergency Kit - Spanish Version Additional Emergency Supplies
Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs:
- Prescription medications
- Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
- Glasses and contact lense solution
- Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream
- Pet food and extra water for your pet
- Cash or traveler's checks
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
- Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
- Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper to disinfect water
- Fire extinguisher
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
- Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
- Paper and pencil
- Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
Maintaining Your Kit
After assembling your kit remember to maintain it so it’s ready when needed:
- Keep canned food in a cool, dry place
- Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers
- Replace expired items as needed
- Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.
Kit Storage Locations
Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and vehicles.
- Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.
- Work: Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water and other necessities like medicines, as well as comfortable walking shoes, stored in a “grab and go” case.
- Vehicle: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car.
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When available, we provide all our content with a Spanish version in our public download section. You can find additional material from sources listed in all our articles.
Educational Materials
Download Emergency Preparedness, People with Special Needs, Ready Wrigley, Natural Disasters and Severe Weather Activities
Download People with Special Needs Preparedness Planning Steps, Activities and Videos
American Sign Language - Apply for Disaster Assistance American Sign Language - How to Register for Disaster Assistance Earthquake Preparedness for People with Mobility Disabilities Earthquake Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities and Other Access or Functional Needs Earthquake Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities and Other Access or Functional Needs Spanish Earthquake Safety Tips for People with Disabilities and Other Access or Functional Needs Earthquake Safety Tips for People with Disabilities and Other Access or Functional Needs Spanish Earthquake Safety Video Preparedness for People with Mobility Disabilities Emergency Preparedness for Special Needs of People with Disabilities FEMA Accessible Assisting Applicants with Disabilities and Others with Access and Functional Needs FEMA Accessible HHS Emergency Prescription Assistance Program FEMA Accessible Other Needs Assistance Preparing Makes Sense for People with Disabilities and Other Access and Functional Needs 
Presentation for Seniors and People with Disabilities Power Point We Prepare Everyday - Open Caption and Interpreter Preparedness Video Download Severe Weather Educational Fact Sheets, Videos, Coloring and Activity Books
5 Weird Disasters in 60 Seconds 8 Tips to Cleanup Mold 8 Tips to Cleanup Mold - Spanish Be Ready Floods Infographic Be Ready Floods Infographic - Spanish Flood Education and Awareness Coloring and Activity Workbook Flood Hazards A National Threat Fact Sheet Flood Smart DIY in 5 Steps Focus on Floods Check Your River Level Fact Sheet Focus on Floods Have a Plan Fact Sheet Focus on Floods Sign Up for Flood Alerts Fact Sheet Focus on Floods Turn Around Dont Drown Fact Sheet Food and Water Safety During Hurricanes, Power Outages and Floods Fact Sheet Owlie Skywarn for Kids Floods Coloring and Activity Book Owlie Skywarn for Kids Hurricanes Coloring and Activity Book Owlie Skywarn for Kids Lightning Coloring and Activity Book Owlie Skywarn for Kids Tornadoes Coloring and Activity Book Owlie Skywarn for Kids Winter Storms Coloring and Activity Book Owlie SKYWARN Storms Ahead Coloring and Activity Book Rip Current Safety for Kids Severe Weather Preparedness Stay a Float in Flooding Tips to Prepare Staying Cool in Extreme Heat What is El Niño - Interview with NWS Miami What You Need to Know About El Niño - Animated Video Flood Insurance 101 Part 1 Flood Insurance 101 Part 2 Flood Insurance 101 - FAQ Flood Insurance Animation When the Clouds Form - Flood Preparedness Animated Video Download Ready Wrigley Activity Books
Educational materials in 23 different languages, including American Sign Language (ASL).
All-Hazards Preparedness Guide Flooding and Mold Safety Awareness Activity Book Lead In Water Safety Awareness Activity Book Ready Wrigley Coping After A Disaster Activity Book Ready Wrigley Earthquake Preparedness Activity Book Ready Wrigley Extreme Heat Preparedness Activity Book Ready Wrigley Flu Season Preparedness Activity Book Ready Wrigley Hurricane Preparedness Activity Book Ready Wrigley Tornado Preparedness Activity Book Ready Wrigley Winter Weather Preparedness Activity Book Zika and Mosquito Bites Safety Awareness Activity Book Zombie Preparedness Graphic Story Book Download Emergency Preparedness Activities
Adventures of Terry and Gracie Story Book 
Be Smart Get Prepared Image Comic Strip 1 Supply Kit Comic Strip 2 Family Plan Comic Strip 3 Weather Preparedness Escape Grid Family Communication Plan Template Know Your Alerts and Warnings Pack It Up Game Ready Family Supply Checklist 1 Download Emergency Preparedness Activity Books
Disaster Preparedness Activity Book 1 Disaster Preparedness Activity Book 2 Disaster Preparedness Activity Book 3 Disney Emergency Preparedness Activity Book English Disney Emergency Preparedness Activity Book Spanish Earthquake Safety Activities for Children and Teachers Emergency Preparedness Activity Book 11-12-13 Focus on Floods Living Local Activity Worksheets Focus on Floods Living Local Coloring and Activity Book Fred The Preparedness Dog Activity Book Hurricane Awareness Activity Book Prepare with Pedro Disaster Preparedness Activity Book Ready Kids Activity Book Ready Wrigley Hurricanes Activity Book World Disaster And Emergency Preparedness Activity Guide Download Emergency Preparedness Coloring Pages
Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book Disaster Preparedness Earthquake Coloring and Activity Book Disaster Preparedness Flood and Landslide Coloring Book Disaster Preparedness Safety Coloring and Story Book Earthquake Preparedness Coloring Book Flying and Swimming Animals Living Local Coloring Sheet Focus on Floods Living Local Coloring Pages Quakesafe Emergency Preparedness Coloring Book Download Emergency Preparedness Puzzles
Disaster Crossword Puzzles Level 1 Activity Book Disaster Crossword Puzzles Level 2 Activity Book Disaster Crossword Puzzles Level 3 Activity Book Disaster Word Search Activity Book Download Emergency Learning Activities
100-Year Flood It's All About Chance 2-1-1 An Easy-to-remember Three-digit Number to Obtain Free Services and Resources 911 Call for Emergency Learning and Safety Activity Book A First Priority Evacuation Order Checklist Air Conditioned Shelter Emergency Evacutation or Use of Cooling Centers Air Filtration - Wildfire Smoke Factsheet - Indoors All-Hazards Preparedness Guide Child Safety Coloring and Activity Book Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home - Everyday Steps and Extra Steps When Someone is Sick Cloth Face Coverings Questions and Answers DIY Face Mask Template and Easy and Quick Making a Mask Emergency Financial First Aid Kit Emergency Financial First Aid Kit - Spanish Emergency Prescription Assistance Program and Medical Equipment in a Disaster Area Emergency Prescription Assistance Program and Medical Equipment in a Disaster Area - Spanish Emergency Prescription Assistance Program and Medical Equipment in a Disaster Area Infographic Emergency Prescription Assistance Program and Medical Equipment in a Disaster Area Infographic - Spanish Emergency Safeguarding Your Valuables Facilitator Activity Guide Emergency Savings Fitness Guide to Your Money and Your Financial Future FAQ What is a Watch How to Use a Portable Fire Extinguisher Training Video Kids Injury Prevention and Safety Activity Book National Park Service Definitions for Fire and Wildfire Parents Prevent Lead Poisoning for Kids Coloring Book Safeguarding Your Valuables Facilitator Activity Guide Saving the Whole Family Animal Disaster Preparedness Saving the Whole Family Animal Disaster Preparedness - Spanish What You Need to Know About EPAP Emergency Prescription Assistance Program and Medical Equipment What You Need to Know About EPAP Emergency Prescription Assistance Program and Medical Equipment - Spanish World Disaster And Emergency Preparedness Activity Guide Download Emergency Learning Videos
3 Steps to Prepare Your Finances for Natural Disasters 5 Weird Disasters in 60 Seconds 8 Tips to Cleanup Mold 8 Tips to Cleanup Mold - Spanish Don't Wait Emergency Preparedness Electrical Fire Safety Emergency Operations Center Emergency Preparedness Video Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities Family Communications Plan and Emergency Kit Food Safety Video Have Two Ways Out Fire Safety - Preparedness Animated Video Health Sector Resilience Important Things To Know Before a Disaster Introduction to the Public Health Preparedness Capabilities PHEP 102 - Overview of the Capabilities-Based Approach Preparing for Disasters and Important Documents IRS Video Prepping A Go Bag With Supplies In Case Of An Emergency It is Scary Simple Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Recipe for Preparedness – Trick-or-Treat Severe Weather Preparedness Stay a Float in Flooding Tips to Prepare Steps to Recover Financially from a Natural Disaster We Prepare Everyday - Open Caption and Interpreter Preparedness Video Playlist: Danger Rangers
Seven animal heroes called the "Danger Rangers," their robot Fallbot, and their artificial intelligence called SAVO teach children about safety through examples, such as environmental hazards and unsafe places.
The Great Race
Worley the Weasel and his badger friends want to hold a secret race. Find out who wins this great race and how the Danger Rangers leap ...
