(AMA Guide) Winter Weather Safety: People

The safest place to be during extreme winter weather is indoors. If you have to go out, be prepared. And no matter what, check on the people around you.

What to know

• Stay indoors whenever possible

• Keep your phone and devices fully charged — they may be your only communication if power goes out

• If you go outside, dress in layers and protect your head, hands, neck, face, and ears

• Wear closed-toe shoes with nonskid or lug soles on ice or snow

• Never use an oven, stove, grill, or portable heater to warm your home — all produce deadly carbon monoxide

• Do not leave children or elderly people in unattended vehicles during cold weather

• Check on friends, family, and neighbors regularly

Details

Stay indoors and stay weather aware. Keep up with local forecasts for advisories, traffic updates, and road closures. A battery or solar-powered weather alert or AM/FM radio is a smart backup if the power goes out. Keep all your devices charged — they may be your only way to communicate or get information during an outage. Skip the mail and newspaper if roads are icy; patios, sidewalks, and driveways become serious fall hazards fast.

If you have a history of respiratory illness like asthma or COPD, movement in and out of the cold can make it worse — stay inside. Make sure you have enough prescription medication to last through the cold spell so you do not need to go out for a refill. And keep checking on the people around you — neighbors, elderly family members, and anyone who may be isolated.