Snow and Ice safety in Beaufort and Hilton Head Island

Cold Rules
1	If you loose power, go to a shelter or a friends home with power. Do not stay in a place with no heat.
2	Loose clothing in layers warms better than does tight clothing. (except long underwear under loose clothing)
3	Do not use a Kerosene heater near bedding, curtains or other flammable surfaces. Most of the fire fatalities are caused this way in winter.
4	Wearing a cotton shirt under a sweater will be most effective.
5	If on the water, remain dry. Wet skin or clothes can lead to hypothermia quickly. Hypothermia can kill you.
6	Do not use an unattended fire for heating. This includes candles. Make sure once every several years to have the fireplace chimney inspected for any residue that can become flammable. Inspect more often if burning softwoods, green wood (unseasoned or wet) or pine. The best wood is live oak or other hardwood with little sap. (seasoned and dry)
7	Do not use electric heaters near flammable surfaces, particularly clothes and curtains. Also do not use with an extension cord.
8	Several people in the same bed will stay warmer than a single person.
9	Warm thick DRY socks will help make you feel warmer. In high humidity, socks become damp and can cause you to feel colder. Change several times daily. Cotton is the best for staying warm. Remember, if you have no gloves, socks will work fine in a pinch.
10	Hanging unused blankets over the doorways to unused rooms and windows will help conserve heat.
11	In severe cold weather, often sealing one room with a hanging blanket and everyone staying in that room will warm things up better. Remember humans produce heat. (see "A Survival Plan" below)
12	Heat pumps will not work when the temperature falls below freezing. You will need an alternative heat source. Oil filled electric heaters are an excellent choice and are portable.
13	Remember, tree limbs and electric lines are stressed with the weight of ice. These often break or snap. Don't get near them.
14	On cold fingers that are "stinging" cold, warm with luke-WARM water, not hot water. Hot water can increase pain and tissue damage.
15	A hat and gloves can make a tremendous difference in body warmth.
16	High humidity and air movement can lower the air temperature.
17	Alcoholic drinks will make the body more vulnerable to the cold.

Driving on Snow or Ice
What makes thing worse in the Lowcountry when snow has fallen is the road temperature is warm enough to melt the first part of snowfall. This results in a water layer that often freezes and forms a "Black ICE" layer under snow. Unseen it can be very slick and dangerous for travel. Remember, once a slide begins, it is impossible to control the direction of the vehicle.
1	Remember, the bridge ices over long before the roads do. This includes any roadway over any water. Slow down before going over a bridge. Metal grates on bridges are very slick.
2	Do not drive unless you have to.
3	Do not pour hot water on your windshield as this may cause it to crack.
4	When driving on ice or snow, pump the brakes to stop on cars using STANDARD brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes DO NOT use pumping action.
5	Do not sleep in a car with the engine running.
6	If the road ahead appears black as night or darker, this may be a sign of "black ice" and is extremely slick. SLOW DOWN!

A Survival Plan.
Here is a strategy that will work in any severe cold emergency at home.
Pick a central room with the fewest windows and least amount of drafts. Hang unused blankets over all entry ways to the room. Shut vacant room heater vents and close all doors. Put a portable heater such as an oil filled electric heater in the center of the room away from cloth or paper. Assemble all the family in this room. Using blankets or sleeping bags you can all camp out in this room. A candle burning while everyone is awake will also help warm it up. Blow it out when going to sleep. It is amazing how warm that room will become. If you play games or music instruments, the atmosphere will help warm it up and make the cold less noticeable. Telling stories and just good old fashioned talking can often make this a memorable night for the entire family and bring a closeness seldom felt these days.
There you go, not everything bad has to be so bad!