Avoid winter driving dangers with tips from Get Ready

If you live in an area that has snow, ice and cold, planning and awareness can help you stay safe when driving.

Last winter, the average temperature in the continental U.S. was a chilly 31.3 degrees. (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/summary-info/national/2014/2) Low temperatures combined with rain, sleet and snow make a perfect recipe for slippery, dangerous roads.

 

When staying home isn’t possible, consider a few of these winter driving tips from AAA:

• Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
• Drive slowly and give yourself time to adjust to conditions. Accelerating, stopping and turning happen more slowly on wet roads.
• If you’re stuck in the snow, stay inside your car. Your vehicle provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to find you. Don’t try to walk in a severe storm, as you can get lost.
• Avoid driving when tired.

APHA’s Get Ready campaign has even more tips for staying safe while driving, both in winter and year-round. Among them? Keep preparedness supplies in your car, including jumper cables, up-to-date maps, emergency flares, a first-aid kit, flashlights, blankets, batteries, a battery-operated radio, a manual can opener and a cellphone charger. Keep bottled water and non-perishable foods stocked in your call as well.

 

Before you head out on the road, it’s always a good idea to check the weather. If there’s a winter weather alert, here’s how to tell them apart, according to the American Red Cross:

• Winter storm outlook: Winter storm conditions possible in the next two to five days.
• Winter weather advisory: Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous.
• Winter storm watch: Winter storm conditions are possible in the next 36 to 48 hours.
• Winter storm warning: Life-threatening, severe winter conditions have started or will begin within 24 hours. People in a warning area should take precautions now.

For more winter preparedness tips and fact sheets, visit Get Ready’s Winter Ready page. Winter officially begins Dec. 21, so now’s the time to get ready!

Are you winter ready? Tips from APHA’s Get Ready campaign can help you prepare

Winter is approaching, and with it even more things to get ready for. APHA’s Get Ready campaign has the resources you need to be prepared and stay safe during the season.

 

Here are some things to think about this winter:

• Winter storms: Winter storms can be mild and relatively harmless. But they can also cause some serious damage. Now is the time to get your home, workplace and car ready. Read our Get Ready winter storm fact sheet for tips.
    
• Colds and flu: It’s cold and flu season, so now’s the time to stock up on supplies you’ll need in case you get sick. You don’t want to have to run out to the store with a cold! Also, learn how you can tell if you have a flu or a cold with our tip sheet. Don’t forget: It’s not too late to get your flu shot, as flu season usually peaks in January or February.
   
• Power Outages: Losing power can be frustrating. During an outage, unplug any appliances that were on when the power went out to avoid damage. Also, keep your refrigerator door closed as much as possible to keep it relatively cold. After the power has returned, make sure to get rid of any food items that might have gone bad. Read our power outage fact sheet for more info.
   
• Emergency preparedness kits: It’s always a good idea to prepare kits to keep both at home and in your car. Make sure you have an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, non-perishable foods, plenty of water and a first-aid kit. Check out our full checklist to see what supplies you’ll need.
   

Get Ready fact sheets are also available in Spanish. Visit our Winter Ready page now to download and share our materials.
 
Don’t let the cold weather ruin your wintertime fun!

Protect yourself from norovirus this winter

Norovirus image courtesy CDC/ Charles D. Humphrey, PhD

Norovirus infections are on the rise in the U.S. and around the world right now.

Sometimes called stomach flu or “winter vomiting,” norovirus infections cause vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. The sickness can last from one to three days.

Norovirus spreads when people come in contact with surfaces or eat food contaminated with bodily fluids from a sick person. The virus is very contagious, and an infected person can pass it on even before they start feeling sick and for up to three days after they feel better. The virus spreads quickly in places where people live or play closely together: day care centers, schools, nursing homes, hotels and cruise ships.

The norovirus is more active in cold weather, so cases usually peak during the colder months, but some officials are saying that cases are higher than ever this season. Outbreaks have been reported in California, Oregon, Georgia, Maine, West Virginia and on several cruise ships. More than 1 million people are thought to have been infected in the U.K. this winter — 72 percent more cases than last year.

The most common way that norovirus spreads is through food that has been handled by an infected person. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 50 percent of food-related illness each year is caused by norovirus contamination.

There is good news, though: Norovirus infection can be prevented! Here are some steps to take to save yourself from this yucky virus:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water. You should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with hot, soapy water. This is especially important to do before and after you eat or prepare food, after using the restroom and when taking care of someone who is sick. We have great fact sheets to help hand-washers of all ages.
2. Don’t make food for other people if you are sick.
3. Wash fruits and vegetables well and cook seafood thoroughly. 
4. If you or a loved one gets sick, make sure to wash clothes, sheets and towels in hot water.

We hope that these tips help you stay infection-free this winter!

Get Winter Ready with us this year!

Today is the first day of winter, so what better time to start thinking about what you need to do to prepare for winter weather?

We’ve put together a Winter Ready page so that you can see all of our great resources on winter storms, power outages, cold and flu season and more — all in one place.

We’ll also be focusing on winter weather preparedness over the next few months, so check back for our Winter Ready blog posts. You can subscribe to the Get Ready Blog so you don’t miss a thing.

Stay warm, stay safe — and happy winter!