Winter break is just around the corner! Whether your plans include holiday travel, sledding or backyard snowball fights, be sure you’re prepared for winter weather. Check out these tips for keeping your family safe.

Mind the Weather

Before heading outside for play or travel, check the temperature, including the wind chill. Wind chill is the temperature your body feels while outside. Wind chill considers both the air temperature and the wind speed. The higher the wind speed, the colder your body experiences the air. To protect your family from frostbite and hypothermia, be sure that everyone in your family has clothing appropriate for the weather:

• Hat
  
  
• Gloves or mittens
  
  
• Loose layers of clothes
  
  
• Water-resistant and insulated outer shell such as coat, snow pants and boots

Wear an inner layer made of wool, silk or propylene and an insulating layer made of down, wool or fleece. Water-resistant coats and boots keep you dry, which is important to prevent hypothermia or frostbite.

Breathing cold, dry air can trigger an asthma attack in people who have asthma, so cover your face with a scarf.

Get Your Car Ready

Families spend a lot of time in the car, and winter weather can create conditions that make driving difficult. While you should avoid driving in bad weather, your car needs winter maintenance to ensure it’s ready for the cold.

Have your tires inspected for tread depth and tire pressure. Consider replacing them with winter tires for the best traction.

Most car batteries are designed to last three to five years, so make sure a failed battery is not in your future. Get it tested to avoid being stranded.

Keep up with regular maintenance: Oil changes, belt and hose checks, new windshield wipers and coolant top-ups are important in the winter. And be aware of how your brakes are performing. If you feel pulling to one side or hear squealing or grinding when you press the brake pedal, get your car into the shop.

Stock Emergency Kits

Winter weather can knock out power in your home or strand motorists. Make sure you have kits in your house and car to keep your family safe.

For the home, your kit should include water and foods that are high in energy (calories) but require no cooking, such as dried fruit and nuts, granola bars and fully cooked canned goods. Pack first aid supplies, flashlights and extra batteries.

Be sure to pack food, formula and diapers for the baby and extra food for your pet in your emergency kit. Check that emergency heating sources such as the fireplace, wood stove and space heaters are clean, ready and fully stocked with fuel. Make sure your home is properly ventilated when you use an emergency heat source.

If you are stranded in your car, you may have to wait for a while after you make a call for help. Here’s a checklist for your car’s emergency kit:

• Water and snacks
  
  
• Extra mittens, hats and blankets
  
  
• First aid kit
  
  
• Cell phone charger
  
  
• Flashlights and extra batteries
  
  
• A bag of sand or kitty litter for tire traction

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Weather Service
Ready.gov, U.S. Department of Homeland Security