Monday

Day 1: Winter Hazard Awareness Week - Winter Storms

The National Weather Service issues winter weather outlooks, watches, warnings, and advisories. Here is what they mean and what you should do.

Outlooks

• Hazardous Weather Outlooks are issued daily and updated continuously by our team of meteorologists to inform you of ANY possible hazardous weather within the next seven days.  You can find the Hazardous Weather Outlook on our web page.

Watches

• Winter Storm and Blizzard Watches mean that winter storm conditions including heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain (or all of the above!) or a blizzard are possible within the next few days. An Extreme Cold Watch means dangerously cold temperatures and winds are expected within the next few days. When a watch is in effect, continue to monitor the weather forecast and start planning for the specific hazards.

Warnings

• Winter Storm, Ice Storm, and Blizzard Warnings mean significant storm or event is occurring or will begin in the next 24 hours. An Extreme Cold Warning means dangerously cold wind chills or temperatures are occurring or will begin within the next 24 hours. Make sure to cover exposed skin and limit your time outdoors. When we issue warning you should complete your preparations!  Take necessary precautions, including cancelling or changing travel plans. Stock up on essentials. Remember that you may be without power for a few days, so water and non-perishable food should be available for your whole family.
  • Winter Storm Warning: Severe winter weather conditions are occurring or are imminent. Most warnings are issued for heavy snow and wind, but may also be issued for ice and sleet storms. If a warning is issued for your area you should take immediate action to ensure the appropriate safety precautions have been taken.
  • Blizzard Warning: Visibilities are reduced to less than 1/4 mile for several hours due to falling and/or blowing snow, making travel virtually impossible. The wind will be at least 35 mph.
  • Snow Squall Warning: An exceptionally rare warning that most typically applies to lake effect snow squalls, where visibility drops to near-zero. It is issued for one hour or less for a small area, and is relayed as a Wireless Emergency Alert.
  • Extreme Cold Warning: *New for 2024-2025* Issued when apparent temperatures fall below a certain threshold. Apparent temperature is the air temperature when wind is calm or the wind chill when wind is present. A copy of the Wind Chill Chart is available on our web site. See above for the thresholds as they are different between northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.

Advisories

• The NWS issues Winter Weather, Freezing Rain, Cold Weather, and Dense Fog Advisories for conditions which warrant your increased awareness, but the weather is not expected to be severe enough to merit a warning. Some hazards that advisories are issued for are light snow accumulation, blowing snow, freezing drizzle or freezing rain with light accumulations, dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills, and fog.

Tuesday

Day 2: Winter Hazard Awareness Week - Outdoor Winter Safety

Exposure to cold, biting air for long periods of time is dangerous and such cold can have a substantial impact on humans and animals. The wind is very efficient in taking heat away from the body and stronger winds can remove even more heat from the body.

General Tips

Here is an excellent booklet called "Winter Storms- the Deceptive Killers" from the NWS, Red Cross, and FEMA.

Minnesota Sea Grant has a great hypothermia website.

Remember that pets and livestock need special care in the cold:
Cold and pet safety from the American Veterinarian Association.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency maintains a helpful website with more suggestions to help you prepare for any emergency: weather related or non-weather related. Visit ready.gov/winter-weather for more winter weather preparedness information.

Wednesday

Day 3: Winter Hazard Awareness Week - Fire Safety

Facts

• Cooking is usually the number one cause for residential fires, with open flames and heating fires often the number two and three causes
• Most heating fires in Minnesota involve fireplaces or chimneys
• Almost three-quarters of fire deaths occur in the home, making it the most dangerous place to be with regard to fire
• Many home fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke detectors

Safety Information

• Turn off portable heating appliances when leaving the home or retiring for the evening. This includes verifying that a fire in the fireplace has been fully extinguished
• Have at least 3 feet of clearance between any heating equipment and anything that can burn. Keep children and loose clothing away from any heating equipment
• Have chimneys and fireplaces and other heating devices professionally inspected prior to the start of every heating season
• Use a sturdy screen or glass closure in front of your fireplace, and burn only clean fireplace wood
• Make sure smoke detectors are installed on every level of your home, including your basement. Test them monthly
• Place holiday decorations well away from heat sources. If you use a tree, water it daily as a dry tree can be consumed by fire in an instant while generating enough heat to ignite the entire room

The above recommendations are courtesy of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs' Association and the State Fire Marshal Division. For further information, contact:

• Your local fire department
• The State Fire Marshal Division at (651) 201-7200
• The State Fire Chiefs' Association at (800) 743-0911

Thursday

Day 4: Winter Hazard Week- Indoor Safety

Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide safety

Questions and answers about carbon monoxide from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Other indoor air hazards and safety information

• Mold exposure can be a special problem during winter when homes are sealed up. Asthma or allergy symptoms can worsen.
• Molds need an ample supply of moisture. Look for signs of excess moisture or water damage.
• Radon can sometimes enter homes from the surrounding soil and accumulate in living areas, especially during winter.
• All homes should be tested for radon as long term exposure to radon can contribute to many long term health problems, including lung cancer.
• Contact your local health department to learn how to properly perform tests and interpret results.
• If asbestos-containing material is disturbed by remodeling- something often done during winter- tiny fibers can be released into the surrounding air. Some home building products contained asbestos up to the mid 1980s. Repair or encapsulate the damaged material using hardware supplies and make sure the work is done by somebody trained in the proper handling of asbestos. Untrained individuals can expose themselves and others to asbestos.

Every home should have a working carbon monoxide detector with an alarm.	Black mold can form on continuously wet wood around windows.
Other helpful websites:   Indoor mold: Center For Disease Control and Prevention   Radon: Environmental Protection Agency   Asbestos: Environmental Protection Agency Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Friday

Day 5: Winter Hazard Awareness Week- Winter Driving   Anyone who has driven in the Midwest during the winter can attest that even a little bit of snow or ice on the roads can be hazardous. In fact, most crashes occur during light snowfalls. Minnesota Road Conditions are available by dialing 511, or accessing their web site at https://www.511mn.org Wisconsin Road Conditions are available by calling (866) 511-9472, or on the internet at https://www.511wi.gov Preparations Make sure your vehicle is ready for the season. Throughout the winter, keep your gas tank at least half-full to avoid gas line freeze. Carry a winter storm survival kit. The typical kit should include a large coffee can with plastic lid. Inside the can, pack high energy foods, spare batteries for a flashlight, a red bandana or cloth to tie on the antenna, and candles/matches/metal cup to melt snow for drinking water. Other bulky or heavy items which should be in the vehicle include a shovel, jumper cables, a bag of sand or salt for traction, basic tools, blankets or sleeping bags, a tow cable or chain, a flashlight, a first aid kit, and extra clothing. Consider keeping a cell phone. If you dial 911 from a cell phone, remember that the dispatcher may not know your location, so you must provide it to them. However, most new cell phones do have GPS capability. Out on the Road Before increasing your speed, get a feel for the traction. Remember that bridges and overpasses can be more slippery than other parts of the road. Do not brake suddenly. If you have anti-lock brakes, apply steady and firm pressure to the pedal. Do not pump anti-lock brakes. If you begin to skid, remain calm. Ease your foot off of the gas and turn the wheel in the direction you want the front of the car to go. When driving near snowplows, remember: Stay Back, Stay Alive.  Reduce your speed. Never drive into a snow cloud. An average snowplow weighs 17 times more than an average car. If you are in a collision with a snowplow, you will lose. Be patient; follow eight seconds behind snowplows. During a Winter Storm Check the latest weather information as you drive. If severe winter weather is expected, consider postponing travel. Avoid traveling alone during a winter storm. Always fill the gas tank before entering open country, even for a short distance. Stock your vehicle with a winter storm safety kit. If the storm begins to be too much for you to handle, seek refuge. If a Winter Storm Traps You Stay in your vehicle. Do not attempt to walk in a winter storm. You can easily become lost and disoriented in blowing and drifting snow. Staying in your car decreases your risk of frostbite and increases the chance of being rescued. make your vehicle visible to rescuers. Beware of carbon monoxide. Run the engine a few minutes every hour, or every half hour in extreme cold. Keep one window slightly open. Make sure that snow does not block the exhaust pipe. Good references you might want to check out: The Red Cross Winter driving advice. The Wisconsin state Preparedness and Safety page has great information. The Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management Winter Driving page. City of Duluth's winter page for city streets and snow plow operations. The Federal Emergency Management Agency maintains a helpful website with more suggestions to help you prepare for any emergency: weather related or non-weather related. Visit ready.gov/winter-weather for more winter weather preparedness information.

A typical winter survival kit for a vehicle.

Give snowplows plenty of room to do their work. Never try to pass a plow unless given the go-ahead by the plow operator.