Indiana Red Cross shares tips to stay safe ahead of winter storm

Last Updated on January 23, 2026 by Cass County Communication Network

INDIANA— A winter storm could bring heavy snow and dangerously cold temperatures to communities across the United States this weekend. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning, a winter storm watch and a cold weather advisory for parts of the Indiana Region. Ahead of the storm, the American Red Cross Indiana Region urges families to stay safe and take precautions.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY During a winter storm, stay warm indoors. If you must go outside, take extra precautions.

  • Wear layers of loose clothing, a coat, gloves, hat and water-resistant boots. Use a scarf to cover your face and mouth.
  • Stay warm to avoid frostbite and hypothermia. Your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes are often the first areas affected. Act fast and get out of the cold immediately if you see signs of hypothermia or frostbite.
    • Signs of frostbite include pain, numbness or a change in skin color.
    • Signs of hypothermia, which can be deadly, often include shivering, confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech.
  • Check on your neighbors,especially elderly people living alone, people with diabetes and children.
  • Gather emergency supplies, including food, water, medicine, extra chargers and batteries, warm clothing and blankets.
  • If you experience a power outage, monitor local weather and utility alerts. Evacuate if your home is too cold and visit local warming centers and power charging stations.
  • Avoid frozen pipes. Run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent pipes from freezing. Open cabinet doors to allow warmer air from the room to get to pipes near sinks.
  • Be careful when completing strenuous tasks like shoveling snow. Take frequent breaks.
  • Keep your vehicle’s gas tank full and clean the lights and windows to help with visibility.

HOW TO SAFELY HEAT YOUR HOME Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster, and home fire responses spike nearly 20% in the winter months, when fire risks increase due to cooking and heating.

  • If you must use a space heater, never leave it unattended. Place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, such as a ceramic tile floor. Don’t place it on rugs and carpets, or near bedding and drapes.
  • Plug space heater power cords directly into outlets — never into an extension cord. Turn the space heater off every time you leave the room or go to sleep. 
  • Keep children, pets and anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment. 
  • Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
  • Never leave a fire burning in the fireplace unattended. Make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home. Use a glass or metal fire screen to keep embers in the fireplace.
  • Test smoke alarms monthly and practice a two-minute home fire escape plan.

IF YOU NEED HELP If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Visit redcross.org/inhomefire to request a free smoke alarm installation.

BLOOD DONORS NEEDED The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply of blood. Intense winter weather and freezing temperatures will impact much of the country this weekend, potentially delaying or canceling blood drives and forcing vital units of blood to go uncollected. Donors of all blood types, especially those with types O, A negative and B negative blood, are urged to give now to help people who rely on transfusions for medical care.

As a special thank-you for helping tackle the blood shortage, all who come to give through Jan. 25, 2026, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl. 

RED CROSS APPS Download the free Red Cross First Aid app, so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

About the American Red Cross Indiana Region:
The American Red Cross of Indiana Region serves 6.9 million people in 104 counties in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio through its chapters: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, and Greater Indianapolis (Regional Headquarters). The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit us at Redcross.org/Indiana or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @indianaredcross. LinkedIn: American Red Cross of Indiana.

SOURCE: News release from American Red Cross Indiana Region