Red Cross Offers Tips On Winter Safety, Preventing Home Fires

Severe winter storms brought heavy snow and cold temperatures to Oklahoma on Thursday and Friday. The American Red Cross of Central and Western Oklahoma is offering some useful tips on staying safe in the winter weather, and preventing home fires.

Red Cross officials say with the cold temperatures, people need to be careful of frostbite and hypothermia.

Frostbite and hypothermia are cold-related emergencies that may quickly become life or limb threatening. Preventing cold-related emergencies includes not starting an activity in, on, or around cold water unless you know you can get help quickly in an emergency.

1. Be aware of the wind chill. Dress appropriately and avoid staying in the cold too long. Wear a hat and gloves when appropriate with layers of clothing.

2. Drink plenty of warm fluids or warm water, but avoid caffeine and alcohol.

3. Stay active to maintain body heat. Take frequent breaks from the cold.

4. Avoid unnecessary exposure of any part of the body to the cold. Get out of the cold immediately if the signals of hypothermia or frostbite appear.

Frostbite is the freezing of a specific body part such as fingers, toes, the nose or earlobes.

Signals of frostbite include:

Lack of feeling in the affected area; skin that appears waxy, is cold to the touch, or is discolored (flushed, white or gray, yellow or blue).

Hypothermia is another cold-related emergencies. Hypothermia may quickly become life threatening. Hypothermia is caused by the cooling of the body caused by the failure of the body's warming system. The goals of first aid are to restore normal body temperature and to care for any conditions while waiting for EMS personnel.

Signals of hypothermia include:

Shivering, numbness, glassy stare; apathy, weakness, impaired judgment; loss of consciousness.

As the snow moves out of the region, officials say Oklahomans should begin to shift attention to the cold weather and possible increase of home fires. These tend to increase as temperatures drop.

1. All heaters need space. Keep all things that can burn (paper, matches, bedding, furniture, clothing, carpets, and rugs) at least three feet away from heating equipment.

2. Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended, and use a glass or metal fire screen to keep fire and embers in the fireplace.

3. Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.

4. Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep.

5. Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, and chimneys inspected annually by a professional, and cleaned if necessary.

6. If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor,) not on rugs, or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.

Learn more about preventing home fires.

Red Cross officials say they remain on standby to open possible shelters and warming centers. Volunteers remain in contact with emergency managers and police on needs for these to open.