Red Cross encourages Hoosiers to plan now to shelter at home during winter storms

The American Red Cross wants to remind area residents that there's no place like home during winter storms. And in order to be ready—before, during and after—individuals and families need to have enough basic supplies in your home to sustain their household for at least five days. Because life may not be business as usual—utilities, such as water, gas and electricity may be out and travel may be restricted or impossible—plan to have these items to have on hand:

Bottled water
Non-perishable food that requires little or no preparation
Flashlights and extra batteries (candles are discouraged)
Hand-crank or battery-powered radio with extra batteries
First-aid supplies
Warm clothing
Extra blankets and/or sleeping bags
Multipurpose tools
Prescription medications
Special items to care for all members of your household including infants, older adults, people with functional needs, pets, etc.

Other things to do include:
Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio and/or TV stations for updates.
Be alert to changing weather conditions.

Avoid unnecessary travel, but make sure your gas tank is full and you have an emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle that includes: blankets, rain gear and extra sets of clothing, mittens, socks and wool hats; non-clumping kitty litter, sand or gravel to generate traction if your vehicle gets stuck; newspapers for insulation and plastic bags for sanitation; bottled water and high-energy, ready-to-eat foods; a small shovel, pocket knife and small tools; flashlight and extra batteries; metal can, candle and matches for light and heat; and a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to tie to your vehicle if you need to signal for help.

Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.

Have a "go kit" of bedding, clothing, toiletries, medications and other items in case you are advised to evacuate.

Make sure cell phones are charged.

Check in on your neighbors (especially older adults or those living alone).

Use only portable heating equipment that has been approved for indoors. Neverleave children alone with a running space heater. Turn it off and unplug it if you're unable to monitor it safely and before you go to bed.

Keep anything that can burn—clothes, drapes, bedding or paper—at least three feet away from heating equipment.

Bring pets inside during winter weather.

Once winter storms have passed and any power outages are reported, the Red Cross will work in conjunction with emergency management and other agencies to determine if/where shelters are needed. The Red Cross will notify local media immediately if it opens shelters. Shelter information will also be on www.redcross.org

For more information on how the Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies, call (574) 753-6154 or e-mail rbuffum@redcrossofnci.org.