We might be facing storms and flooding across the UK at the moment but in North America, with temperatures plummeting, whatever discount outdoor wear is available the best advice given is to stay indoors. However here is the advice the Federal Emergency Management Agency is giving out in order for people to stay as safe as possible.

Apart from the obvious advice of staying inside during the storm other important information is as follows:

Walk carefully on snowy, icy, walkways.

Avoid overexertion when shovelling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack—a major cause of death in the winter. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside.

Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.

Watch for signs of frostbite. These include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.

Watch for signs of hypothermia. These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. If symptoms of hypothermia are detected, get the victim to a warm location, remove wet clothing, warm the centre of the body first and give warm, non-alcoholic beverages if the victim is conscious. Get medical help as soon as possible.

Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive: travel in the day; don't travel alone; keep others informed of your schedule; stay on main roads and avoid back road shortcuts.

Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.

If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold (or where the cold was most likely to penetrate).

Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid build-up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least three feet from flammable objects.

Conserve fuel, if necessary, by keeping your residence cooler than normal. Temporarily close off heat to some rooms.

If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55ºF.

 

Dress for the Weather

If you must go outside, wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.

Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.

Wear a hat. A hat will prevent loss of body heat.

Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

All of this can be useful, dependent on your individual situation, but at least here in the UK at the moment you can still get around and the storms have at least given us a window of opportunity to access the situation and clear up before anymore arrive across the Atlantic. In the meantime make sure you have enough discount outdoor wear to stay warm and dry.