Winter Planning & Preparation
English version or Spanish
version.
Website offers tips for winter preparation in the Midwest. (Source:
Univ. of MN Int'l Student Services; United Way First Call for Help)
Factsheet: Ten Things
to Prepare for Winter Storms (43 KB)
This factsheet will help you learn ten tips on how to prepare yourself,
your home, and your family for the upcoming winter weather.
(Source: Purdue Extension and FEMA)
Winter
Storms: The Deceptive Killers (2.14 MB)
This preparedness guide explains the dangers of winter weather and
suggests life-saving actions you can take.
(Source: NOAA, American Red Cross, and FEMA)
Tree
Windbreaks for Farms and Homes (17.3 MB)
Evergreen windbreaks can block up to 75 percent of the winter wind
around the home, resulting in a reduction in winter heating costs
up to 15 to 25 percent. Learn more about the benefits of
windbreaks, how to create a windbreak plan, and proper preparation
of the planting site.
(Source: Purdue Extension)
Wind
and Snow Control for the Farmstead
The cold, strong winds and large snowfalls of recent Midwest winters
have caused many farm families to re-evaluate the need for "controlling'
these energy-wasting disturbances.
(Source: Purdue Extension)
Hoosier
Farmland Wildlife Notes: Windbreaks for Farms and Wildlife (113
KB)
A home or farmstead windbreak is a strip of vegetation, generally
consisting of multiple rows of trees and/or shrubs that shelters
a residence and related structures from the negative effects of
wind. (Source: Purdue Extension)
Fact
Sheet: Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes (75.8 KB)
Before the onset of cold weather, it is important to prevent freezing
of water supply lines and pipes. This fact sheet provides information
and suggestions about how to prevent water pipes in the home from
freezing and how to thaw them if they do freeze. (Source: American
Red Cross)
Lessons
of Weather-Related Stress Applicable All Year
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to coping with the added
stresses that the winter season brings--especially this particular
winter season. However, there is some good news. By effectively
dealing with seasonal stresses, many people can establish behavior
patterns that will help them all year long. (Source: NDSU Extension
Service)
Attention Freezer
Owners: In case of power outage DO NOT OPEN!!!
Dealing with and preparing for power outages. During power outages,
the safety of your food may be compromised. This article gives tips
and suggestions to reduce your risk. (Source: Ohio State University)
When
the Power Goes Off
Helpful information on dealing with protecting your food during
power outages. (Source: University of Missouri Extension)
FEMA:
Winter Driving
Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region.
Even areas that normally experience mild winters can be hit with
a major snowstorm or extreme cold.
Snowblower
Safety
Depending on snow levels, experts estimate 4,000 to 6,000 injuries
per year from snowblowers. These potentially dangerous machines
need to be used carefully and with respect for their moving parts.
(Source: North Dakota State University Extension)
Ice Safety
(473 KB) **Long Download Time Possible**
Ice fishing, sledding, snowmobile riding, ice skating, downhill
skiing, and crosscountry skiing are just some of the most popular
winter sports. With these activities come safety precautions, especially
when ice over water is involved.
(Source: Ohio State University Extension)
How to
Stay Safe Around Ice Covered Trees
Each iced tree situation needs careful assessment before you do
anything. Sometimes, it's better to do nothing, especially if the
situation is beyond your skills.
(Source: University of Maine Cooperative Extension)
Portable
Generator Hazards
Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote electric
power is needed, but they also can be hazardous. The primary hazards
to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning
from the toxic engine exhaust, electric shock or electrocution,
and fire.
(Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission)
Roof
Snow Loads
If you leave the ice and snow you risk collapse of the roof. If
you remove the snow load you can damage brittle shingles, get injured
(if you do the job yourself), or incur expense and liability (if
you have someone else do it).
(Source: University of Minnesota Extension)
Ice
Dams
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and
prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. The water
that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage
to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas. (Source: University
of Minnesota Extension)
Recovery
Storms
and Trees (210 KB) **Long Download Time Possible**
Ice and windstorms take a toll on trees, utility wires, and homes
every year. Reducing storm damage can be done through a few easy
steps: planning, proper pruning, and preventing root damage.
(Source: Purdue Extension)
Winter Injury of Ornamentals
Extreme cold, drying winds, bright sunlight or a sudden drop in
temperature are common causes of winter injury to trees and shrubs.
(Source: Purdue Extension)
Check
Sewer Vents for Ice Accumulations
If areas of your home are beginning to smell like a sewer, it may
be your house's way of telling you some of its vital systems aren't
working properly, says a North Dakota State University safety specialist.
(Source: NDSU Extension Service)
Solve Winter Home Moisture Problems
Humidity in the warm air of your house will condense on cold surfaces
just as humid summer air condenses on the outside of the glass holding
your icy beverage.
(Source: NDSU Extension Service)
Turfgrasses and winter
weather
Gray
Snow Mold (780 KB) **Long Download Time Possible**
Gray snow mold affects all cool season turfgrass species in areas
where extended periods of snow cover occur.
(Source: Purdue Extension)
Pink
Snow Mold (253 KB) **Long Download Time Possible**
Pink snow mold is a disease that may affect all cool-season turfgrasses
but appears to be most damaging to creeping bentgrass and annual
bluegrass on golf courses.
(Source: Purdue Extension)
Winter Weather Education For
kids
FEMA For Kids: Winter
Storms
Interactive and educational activities for youth, such as:
Important Terms, Winter Storm Math, Snowman Game, and Disaster Twins'
Blizzard Story. (Source: FEMA)
Be
Ready 1-2-3: Ready Rabbit (Winter Storms) (171 KB)
The "Be Ready 1-2-3" materials help young children, ages
4 to 7, learn through activities and demonstrations led by "expert"
Ready Rabbit. (Source: American Red Cross)
Billy
and Maria Learn About Winter Weather (Part 1)
A printable coloring book describing the steps of preparing a disaster
supply kit. (Source: NOAA)
Billy,
Maria and the Snowflake (Part 2)
A printable coloring book about how snowflakes are made and frostbite.
(Source: NOAA)
Billy
and Maria Learn About Winter Storms (Part 3)
A printable coloring book about how winter storms develop and hypothermia.
(Source: NOAA)
Winter Storm Photographs
Indiana Snowstorm (White County) February, 2007
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