How To Prepare, Safety Tips For VA Weekend Winter Storm

Virginia officials are urging residents to be prepared and take the necessary precautions ahead of the weekend's winter storm, which could dump more than 10 inches of snow and bring bitterly cold temperatures to the Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. region.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger declared a state of emergency on Thursday ahead of the storm, allowing state agencies and resources to be on standby across the Commonwealth. The storm is expected to move into the state Saturday night and continue through Monday afternoon.

"I am asking all Virginians to spend this time getting prepared for this incoming storm and to stay off the roads," Spanberger said. "This will allow not only for the safety and security of our neighbors, but for faster clearing of roads and ensure greater safety during what we expect will be the most dangerous times on the roads."

• RELATED: State Of Emergency Declared In VA, 10+ Inches Of Snow Expected

Residents should be aware of and prepare for several potential hazards during this weekend's storm, including slippery roads and sidewalks, cold temperatures, heavy snow and ice, frostbite, hypothermia, wind chill, frozen pipes, and power outages.

Here are some of the things Virginians should know before the winter storm strikes, including tips from the state Department of Emergency Management and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Prepare An Emergency Kit

It's a good idea to adapt your regular preparedness kits and disaster supplies for the winter months.

At a minimum, you should have the basic supplies listed below in anticipation of a winter storm:

• Water: one gallon per person, per day (2-week supply for home)
• Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (2-week supply for home)
• Flashlight
• Emergency weather radio
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Map(s) of the area

Preparing Your Home

Be prepared before a winter storm hits by planning ahead. If you are in an area prone to winter weather, be sure to create a communication and disaster plan for your family ahead of time.

Additionally, take these precautions around your home before the storm arrives, according to the National Weather Service and Ready.gov:

• Check battery-powered equipment.
• Be sure to practice fire prevention if you use a heat source (e.g. fireplace, stove, or space heater) at home and make sure the heat source is properly ventilated to avoid a buildup of carbon monoxide.
• Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they work properly.
• Close off any unneeded rooms in the house, stuff towels or rags under doors, and cover windows at night.
• Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping.
• Stock up on rock salt to melt snow and ice on walkways. If rock salt is not an option, cat litter can also provide traction.
• Shovel snow in short bursts with breaks to prevent overexertion and potential heart attacks.
• Remember the needs of your pets.

Power Outages

In the event of a winter storm, power outages are a likely possibility, especially when the snow is heavy or there's ice in the forecast.

Dominion Energy customers can call 866-366-4357 to report an outage or downed line, or make a report online. NOVEC, which serves parts of Northern Virginia, said outages can be reported to at 703-335-0500, online or texting “#OUT” to 85700.

To prepare for power outages, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management recommends:

• Take an inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity.
• Plan for batteries and other alternatives to meet your needs when the power goes out.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home.
• Determine whether your home phone will work in a power outage and how long the battery backup will last.
• Use a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so that you can know the temperature when the power is restored. Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher.
• Keep mobile phones and other electronic equipment charged and gas tanks full.

During a power outage, the state recommends:

• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if necessary. Monitor temperatures with a thermometer.
• Maintain food supplies that do not require refrigeration.
• Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment or electronics. Power may return with momentary “surges” or “spikes” that can cause damage.
• Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.
• If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise. If a life depends on the refrigerated drugs, consult a doctor or pharmacist and use the medicine only until a new supply is available.

Heating Homes Safely

Having a generator on hand will provide backup power to your home in case there's a power outage. However, some safety rules must be abided by when using a generator.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following:

• Never use a generator inside your home, in basements, in garages or near windows.
• Generators should be located at least 20 feet from any window, door or vent and in a space where rain and snow will not be able to reach them.
• Do not use the generator or appliances if they are wet.
• Do not store gasoline indoors where the fumes from the generator could ignite.
• Plug in appliances to the generator using individual heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords.

While it's clear that you should never use a generator indoors, it's still important to have at least one working carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home to ensure that your generator isn't spreading any dangerous fumes.

It's good to keep a space heater or other extra heating source, but be sure they have enough fuel, and that you're using them safely.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the strength of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break.

According to the Red Cross, pipes that freeze most frequently are:

• Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines and water sprinkler lines.
• Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages or kitchen cabinets.
• Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation.

Here's a quick rundown on how to prevent frozen pipes in your home:

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe — even at a trickle — helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees.

If your pipes do freeze, you should take these steps to thaw them.

Frostbite & Hypothermia

Frostbite is damage to your body caused by your skin and nerves beginning to freeze. Symptoms and warning signs include:

• Numbness or loss of feeling around fingers, toes, ears or other extremities.
• White or grayish-yellow skin on your fingers, toes, ears or other extremities.
• Firm or waxy-looking skin.

Here's what to do if you suspect you have frostbite:

• Get out of the cold as soon as possible. Go to a warm room and warm the affected body parts with body heat, blankets, or by soaking in warm water.
• DO NOT rub, massage, or use heating pads on the affected areas. That can actually cause more damage.
• If symptoms don't resolve, get medical help immediately.

Meanwhile, hypothermia is when you have an unusually (and unsafely) low body temperature. Any temperature below 95 degrees is considered an emergency.
Symptoms and warning signs include:

• Shivering
• Exhaustion
• Confusion or memory loss
• Drowsiness or slurred speech
• Fumbling hands or reduced motor function

Here's what to do if you suspect you or a loved one has hypothermia:

• Get out of the cold as soon as possible, and remove any wet clothing.
• Keep dry and wrapped in warm blankets — again, more layers is better.
• Warm the center of the body first: chest, neck, head, and groin.
• Drinking warm, non-alcoholic beverages can help with this if the affected person is conscious.
• Stay wrapped up and warm until normal body temperature returns.
• If symptoms don't resolve, get medical help immediately.

If you must go outside during cold weather, to prevent frostbite or hypothermia, you should 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, and wear a hat and cover your mouth with a scarf to reduce heat loss.

Also, stay dry. If your clothing gets wet, change into a dry set as soon as you can. Wet clothing loses its ability to insulate you, and actually transmits heat away from you more quickly.

Staying Safe On The Road

Before snowstorms and extreme cold, Virginians should:

• Make sure their emergency kit is stocked.
• Make sure they have an emergency kit in their car.
• Fully winterize their vehicle: Have a mechanic check antifreeze, brakes, heater and defroster, tires and windshield wipers to ensure they are in good shape. Keep your gas tank at least half full.

If you must drive, travel during the day. Do not travel alone. Keep others informed of your schedule and route. Stay on main roads and avoid back road shortcuts.

Should you become stranded while traveling during a winter storm, the Red Cross recommends taking the following precautions:

• Stay in the vehicle and wait for help. Do not leave the vehicle to search for assistance unless help is visible within 100 yards.
• Display a trouble sign to indicate you need help. Hang a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) on the radio antenna and raise the hood after the snow stops falling.
• Turn on the engine for about 10 minutes each hour. Use the heater while the engine is running. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and slightly open a downwind window for ventilation.
• Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so that you can be seen.
• Do light exercises to keep up circulation. Clap your hands and move your arms and legs occasionally.
• If more than one person is in the vehicle, take turns sleeping.
• Huddle together for warmth. Wrap yourself in newspapers, maps and even the removable floor mats to help trap more body heat.
• Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
• Drink fluids to avoid dehydration, which can make you more susceptible to the ill effects of cold and to heart attacks.
• Avoid overexertion. Shoveling snow or pushing a vehicle can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse.