Severe Weather Safety

When severe weather hits, stay safe and prepared.

• Prevent frozen pipes

  Run water at a trickle and open cabinet doors to prevent pipes from freezing.

• Avoid heating with a stove

  For safety reasons, never use a stove or oven to heat your home.

• Operate generators outside

  Don't operate a generator inside the home, including in the basement or garage.

• Wear layers

  Several layers of clothing will keep you warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing body heat.

• Watch space heater placement

  If you are using a space heater, place it on a level, hard surface. Keep anything flammable at least three feet away.

• Bring pets indoors

  If they can’t come inside, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and access to unfrozen water.

• Have an emergency kit

  Stay severe-weather and storm ready by making an emergency kit for your home, workplace and vehicles. Get more info on building yours here.

Winter storm health hazards

Two potentially life-threatening dangers occur in freezing conditions―frostbite and hypothermia. Wear warm, loose-fitting, layered clothing to help protect yourself and your family from them, and learn to recognize their symptoms.

• Frostbite is the freezing of toes, fingers and other body parts. Its symptoms include cold, waxy or discolored skin, ranging from flushed to white, gray, yellow or blue, and loss of feeling in the affected areas. If you suspect frostbite has occurred, move the person to a warm place and get medical assistance as soon as possible. Warm but do not rub the affected areas.
• Hypothermia is a shut-down of the body's warming system. Its symptoms include shivering, weakness, numbness, confusion and unconsciousness. Move the person to a warm place, replace any wet clothing with warm, dry clothes and call 911.


Learn about power outage safety or how to prepare for outages.