2014-01-10

Winter Weather Emergencies: MedlinePlus

A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health

Severe winter weather can lead to health and safety challenges. You may have to cope with

Cold related health problems, including frostbite and hypothermia

Household fires and carbon monoxide poisoning from space heaters and fireplaces

Unsafe driving conditions from icy roads

Power failures

Floods after snow and ice melt

Although there are no guarantees of safety during winter weather emergencies, you can take actions to protect yourself. You should have a disaster plan. Being prepared can help reduce fear, anxiety and losses.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention



Related Topics

Coping with Disasters

Disaster Preparation and Recovery

Frostbite

Hypothermia

Disasters

Languages

Arabic (العربية)

Bosnian (Bosanski)

Somali (af Soomaali)

Spanish (español)

Start Here

Winter Storms and Extreme Cold(Department of Homeland Security)

Overviews

Winter Storms(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

Also available in Spanish

Winter Weather(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Latest News

The Cold, Hard Truth about Surviving Bitter Winter Weather(01/06/2014, HealthDay)

 Hypothermia and Older Adults(01/06/2014, National Institute on Aging)

Health Tip: Stock Your Car for Winter Weather(01/03/2014, HealthDay)

Health Tip: Staying Safe During Winter Weather(12/27/2013, HealthDay)

Be Prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter(11/04/2013, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Prevention/Screening

Extreme Cold: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDF

Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes(American Red Cross)

Related Issues

Prevent Snow Shoveling and Snowblowing Injuries(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

Snow and Ice(Environmental Protection Agency)

Windchill Temperature (WCT) Index(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Winter Storm Fire Safety(United States Fire Administration)

Also available in Spanish

Winter, Your Car, and You(National Safety Council) - PDF

Wireless Emergency Alerts(Federal Emergency Management Agency)

Also available in Spanish

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Pictures & Photographs

National Weather Service: Watch, Warning, Advisory Display(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

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Videos

Winter Storms and Extreme Cold(Healthy Roads Media)

Also available in Spanish

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Journal Articles

References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Article: Surviving 6 days in a crevasse.

Article: A novel intervention for decreasing hospital crowding following the blizzards...

Article: Prehospital resuscitation of the buried avalanche victim.

Article: The tele-intensive care unit during a disaster: seamless transition from...

Winter Weather Emergencies -- see more articles

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Organizations

American Red Cross

Also available in Spanish

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Also available in Spanish

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Statistics

Summary of Natural Hazard Statistics for 2012 in the United States(National Weather Service) - PDF

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Children

Cold, Ice, and Snow Safety (For Parents)(Nemours Foundation)

How to Be Safe in Ice and Snow(Nemours Foundation)

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Teenagers

Keeping Your Cool in the Cold and Snow(Nemours Foundation)

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Seniors

Winter Safety Tips for Older Adults(AGS Foundation for Health in Aging) - PDF

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