Indoors

  • Stay inside and wear warm clothing. Clothes should be loose-fitting and lightweight.
  • Tune into your First Warning Weather team on-air, online or with the Erie News Now App.
  • Bring your pets inside and make sure they have plenty of water.
  • Eat regularly. (Food provides energy for the body and produces heat).
  • Conserve energy. Some storms can last for a few days which places great demands on electric, gas, and fuel distribution. So, lower thermostat to 65° during the day and to 55° at night. Close off unused rooms and stuff towels or rags in cracks under the door.
  • Check on, the elderly, neighbors and relatives.

Outdoors

  • Cover exposed skin with hats, gloves or mittens.
  • Cover your mouth and protect your lungs from the severely cold air.
  • Watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
  • Keep dry and change wet clothes.
  • Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling heavy snow, pushing a vehicle, or walking in deep snow.
  • Walk carefully on snowy or icy sidewalks.

Cars

  • Keep an emergency survival kit in your vehicle.
  • Survival kit should include: Blankets, newspapers, plastic bags, canned fruits, nuts and high energy snacks, cell phone charger, bottle water.
  • Make sure someone knows your final destination and let them know when you arrived.
  • Drive with caution.

If you become stranded:

  • Stay in the vehicle and wait for help.
  • Run engine occasionally to keep warm. Turn engine on for 10 minutes each hour or five minutes every half hour this reduces risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and conserves fuel.
  • Leave overhead light on when running engine so people can see you.
  • If more than one person is in the vehicle, take turns sleeping. This will increase body temperature and circulation, otherwise you could freeze to death.
  • Huddle together to keep warm.
  • Drink fluids to stay hydrated
  • Avoid overexertion. Cold weather puts strain on the heart.

Adapted from American Red Cross