How to Prepare for Weather Events That Can Affect Your Health
There are several weather impacts and changes that can occur. These include severe thunderstorms, flash floods, blizzards, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfire smoke. We also experience extreme heat in the summer and extreme cold in the winter. It’s important to prepare for these events to lessen their impact on your health.
There are several weather impacts and changes that can occur. These include severe thunderstorms, flash floods, blizzards, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfire smoke. We also experience extreme heat in the summer and extreme cold in the winter. It’s important to prepare for these events to lessen their impact on your health. Download and fill out this guide, provided by the State of Connecticut, to help ensure you and your family are prepared for any emergency.
You'll find plans for your medications and medical conditions. Plans for disabled family members and pets are in the guide too.
Download the Personal Preparedness GuideWildfire Smoke
Wildfire smoke can reach far away from where fires burn. To protect yourself from the effects of wildfire smoke, check air quality reports. You can use an app on your phone, check local news, or go to airnow.gov and enter your zip code, city, or state to get a report for your area. Ask your Primary Care Provider (PCP) for advice if you’re having trouble breathing, have shortness of breath, a persistent cough, or other symptoms that continue. Call 911 or go to the emergency department for any medical emergencies. If you have a chronic condition such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), diabetes, or heart disease, create a plan with your PCP. If you go to a shelter, be sure to tell them about your condition.
Source: Wildfire Smoke and People with Chronic Conditions | Wildfires | CDC
Extreme Heat
Extremely hot days impact us all. They can affect you even more if you have an existing health condition.
To help manage that condition or situation for you or someone you know, click on a link below:
- Is Pregnant
- Has a child or teen with asthma
- Has a heart condition
- Is 65 years of age or older
- Has infants or young children
- Is in the heat and works outside
- Exercises outside in the heat
Making a Plan
To prepare for extremely hot weather, make a plan with your PCP. Being prepared includes drinking plenty of water, staying inside where it’s cooler when you can, and making sure you have a plan for your medications if they need to be kept cool.
Take the following actions to protect your health:
- Stay cool
- Stay hydrated
- Know the symptoms
- Check air quality
- Have a medication plan
For more information download the CDC Heat Action plan.
Extreme Cold
It’s also important to prepare for extremely cold weather. Staying indoors and off the roads as much as possible can help prevent accidents on icy roads. If you must be outside, wear layers! Be sure to cover up with a warm hat, gloves, and a scarf. Don’t forget a water-resistant coat and pair of boots. Making sure you’re dressed warmly can also help keep you from getting hypothermia or frostbite.
Hypothermia and Frostbite
Hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature) and frostbite can happen when a person is exposed to very cold temperatures for a long period of time. Frostbite is a type of injury caused by freezing. It leads to a loss of feeling and color in the areas it affects. These areas are usually extremities such as the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes. It can cause permanent damage. In severe cases, it can result in the need to remove the affected body part.
Signs and Symptoms of Hypothermia
Adults:
- Shivering
- Exhaustion
- Confusion
- Fumbling Hands
- Memory Loss
- Slurred Speech
- Drowsiness
Infants:
- Bright red, cold skin
- Very low energy
Signs and Symptoms of Frostbite
- Redness or pain in any area may be the start of frostbite.
Other signs include:
- A white or grayish yellow skin area
- Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
- Numbness
If a person’s temperature is below 95 degrees, get medical attention right away.
What to do if someone is experiencing hypothermia or frostbite:
- Seek medical attention right away.
- Get the person into a warm room or shelter.
- Remove any wet clothing.
- Warm them under dry layers of blankets and clothing.
- Place areas affected by frostbite in warm-to-touch water.
Use Caution When Treating Frostbite.
- Unless necessary, don’t walk if your feet and/or toes have frostbite.
- Don’t use a fireplace, heat lamp, radiator, or stove to warm up.
- Don’t use a heating pad or electric blanket to warm up.
- Don’t rub or massage areas with frostbite.
Building an Emergency Kit
To help ensure you and your family are prepared for a natural disaster and possible loss of power, it’s important to put together an emergency kit. Check the internet or listen to your local radio/TV station for important storm updates.
Items to include in your emergency kit:
- First aid kit and fire extinguisher
- Battery-powered radio
- Fresh water and nonperishable food
- Flashlights/lanterns and extra batteries
- Sleeping bags and/or extra blankets
Knowing the Difference in Storm Terms
A severe storm watch means that dangerous weather may happen.
A severe weather warning means a storm is coming. You need to take cover or seek shelter right away.
Evacuate if you’re told to do so by emergency officials. Plan where you can stay for a few days if you must leave.
During a Storm
During a storm, take your emergency kit and move to a room near the middle of your home. If there’s a storm like a hurricane or tornado, move to the lowest part of your home. If there’s severe flooding, move to the highest level of your home.
After a Natural Disaster
- Make sure your family members aren’t hurt.
- DO NOT TOUCH or go near power lines that have been knocked down. Tell your local power company where you see any downed power lines.
- If there’s a power outage, be careful of food safety and carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Stay away from any flood water. Flood water may contain viruses, bacteria, and germs which could make you very sick. All food, water, and medicine that have had contact with flood water should be thrown away. Flooding may also result in having sewage backup into your home. A sewage backup can make your home unsafe to live in.
- If you have a sewage backup in your home:
- Turn off the power if there's standing water or the chance of electrical wires touching water or anything wet.
- Do not flush the toilets.
- Keep all children and pets away from the sewage.
- Wear rubber gloves when touching anything with sewage on it. Wash your hands right after. Never touch raw sewage with bare hands.
- Call your town or local health department to report a sewage backup.
Cleaning Up After a Natural Disaster
To clean up your home after a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or flood, follow the general safety tips provided here: Guidelines for Cleaning Safely After a Disaster | Natural Disasters | CDC.
Source: Natural Disasters
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