Unsure where that heat is escaping? 🏠🥶 While you may not be able to afford a new HVAC system or insulation, #YouCan follow these low-cost tips to keep your home warm! ⬇️ 

🪟 Apply window insulation kits and/or hang heavy or blackout curtains to keep warm air in and cold air out. 

🚪 Caulk or lay weather stripping around windows and doors to prevent drafts.Use draft stoppers on exterior doors. 

🔒 Close the vents and doors of rooms you are not using. Place a rolled towel at the bottom of the doors to keep drafts out.

🔁 Set your ceiling fans to spin clockwise at a low speed to push warm air down.

✅ You may be eligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which can help you pay your heating bills or get emergency services during an energy crisis: https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/liheap/utilityservicesliheapmain.html

✅ For home improvements that save money on energy, you may qualify for help through the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP): https://www.okcommerce.gov/weatherization/

#WinterReady #ReadyOK

For older adults, the cold may bite a bit more than it used to 🌬️ #YouCan prepare yourself and your home now: 

🍲 Dress warmly and eat enough food to keep yourself at a healthy weight

💡 Make sure there is enough lighting outdoors, especially near walkways and stairs

⛸️ Make sure your steps are sturdy and have textured grip

❄️ If your home’s main entrance is often icy during the winter months, use a different entrance if you can

🔑 Keep a small table or shelf near the entry door to put items while unlocking the door

🦽 If you use walking aids such as a cane, walker, or a wheelchair, dry the wheels or tips of each before entering your home

🧹 Engage your support network if you need help clearing ice and snow from your property so you can keep outside walkways and steps clear of snow and ice.

📞 Coordinate with a nearby family member or friend to regularly check in on you 

Create your personal disaster preparedness guide at https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2023-09/ready-gov_disaster-preparedness-guide-for-older-adults.pdf

#WinterReady #ReadyOK

When it’s freezing outdoors, stay inside if possible! Bring your pets inside, too 🐶🐾

#YouCan #WinterReady #ReadyOK

Winter storms may bring power outages that can disrupt communications, utilities, transportation, stores, gas stations and ATMs, and prevent your ability to use electrically powered medical devices. Are you #WinterReady? 

⚠️ Make sure your #Emergency Kit is stocked for winter - add winter gear and blankets to stay warm ⚠️

If your power goes out: 

🧊 Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.

🔋 If you use a generator, ONLY use it outdoors and away from windows.

☠️ Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home.

⚡️ Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.

💉 Have alternatives for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.

⛪️ Go to a community location with power if the cold is extreme and you can’t heat your home.

Find more tips at https://www.ready.gov/power-outages. 

#YouCan #ReadyOK

You can stay warm and cozy this winter by simply staying put! 😌☕️ If you don’t HAVE to get out in the ice and snow.. don’t. 

#YouCan #WinterReady #ReadyOK

Home heating is the second leading cause of home fires, and winter is when most home fires happen! #YouCan prevent home fires this winter: 

🔥 Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from all heat sources including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, portable heaters, or candles.

🔌 Always plug space heaters directly into an outlet, and make sure their cords aren't damaged or frayed.

☠️ Never use an oven or gas range to heat your home.

🏠 Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected each year by a professional.

Visit https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/ to learn how to prepare for and prevent home fires. 

#WinterReady #ReadyOK

#YouCan prevent home heating fires this winter by making sure to plug space heaters directly into an outlet 🔌 Check cords regularly for damage.

#WinterReady #ReadyOK

Just like your angsty teen at a family gathering, all heaters need space! 🥵 #YouCan prevent home heating fires this winter by ensuring anything that can burn is kept at least 3️⃣ feet away from heating equipment ✅

#WinterReady #ReadyOK

Every year, more than 400 people die in the U.S. from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning NOT related to fire!

#YouCan educate yourself on CO today. If CO poisoning is suspected, call 911 or your local Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or consult a health care professional right away.

To prevent CO poisoning: 

⚠️ Generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, or camper – or even outside near an open window.

🚨 Every home should have at least one working carbon monoxide detector; preferably on each floor. The detector’s batteries should be checked at least twice annually, at the same time smoke detector batteries are checked (Daylight Saving Time).

Learn more at https://oklahoma.gov/oem/readyok/be-aware/winter-weather.html

#WinterReady #ReadyOK

#DidYouKnow the National Association of Insurance Commissioners has a free app to help you #DocumentandInsureProperty?

The Home Inventory App makes it easy to create a record of all your belongings, including the ability to scan barcodes and upload photos of your items. Check it out at https://content.naic.org/consumer/home-inventory

#YouCan #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK

Victims of #hypothermia 🥶 and #frostbite ❄️ often can’t tell when they’re affected. Know the signs and how to help yourself and others:  

🥶 Hypothermia in Adults: Shivering, exhaustion or feeling very tired, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness. 

🥶 Hypothermia in Babies: bright red, cold skin; very low energy

🥶 What to do: If someone’s temperature is below 95 degrees, it’s an EMERGENCY. Call 911 and get help. Warm the person by drying them off and warming the center of their body first (chest, neck, head, and groin) using skin-to-skin contact and loose, dry layers of blankets or clothing. Drinking warm liquids can help if they are conscious. If someone is unconscious, perform CPR even when you think they’re 😵 Hypothermia victims can sometimes be resuscitated. 

❄️ Frostbite: Redness or pain in skin may be the beginning of frostbite, with onset looking white or grayish-yellow and feeling unusually firm or waxy or numb.

❄️ What to do: Seek medical care. Get to a warm area as soon as possible and don’t massage - put the affected area in warm or warm the affected area using body heat. Burn risk: Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. 

Learn more at https://oklahoma.gov/oem/readyok/be-aware/winter-weather.html

#YouCan #WinterReady #ReadyOK

Bundling up and staying dry are two of the best things you can do to stay safe from cold temperatures this fall and winter. 

Stay #WinterReady and know the signs of frostbite & hypothermia ahead of time: 

❄️Frostbite: Numb, gray-yellow or waxy skin. 

🥶Hypothermia: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion

Learn more at https://oklahoma.gov/oem/readyok/be-aware/winter-weather.html

#ReadyOK #YouCan #WinterReady

You really shouldn’t drive during icy conditions, but if you MUST get out: 

❄️ Clear windshield & windows completely BEFORE driving 

⚠️ Drive with CAUTION; try not to make sudden changes in speed/direction

↔️ Follow other vehicles at a greater distance than you normally would

⛸️ If your car begins to slide, take your foot off the gas and don’t slam on your brakes. Turn gently into the slide; don’t panic or overcorrect 

🚩 If you go off the road/into a snowbank, STAY in the vehicle. Call or signal for help, access your car emergency kit and know the symptoms, signs and treatments of frostbite and hypothermia. 

Learn more at https://oklahoma.gov/oem/readyok/be-aware/winter-weather.html

#ReadyOK #YouCan #WinterReady

Keep a full tank of gas and be sure to supplement your #CarEmergencyKit with winter essentials BEFORE you need them! ⬇️

+ Warm winter gear 

+ Emergency blankets

+ Ice scraper and snow brush 

+ Hot hands 

+ Juice pouches for hydration 

+ Sand for gaining traction

⚠️ If stranded, run the engine for about 10 minutes per hour to run the heater and charge your cell phone. Open a window slightly to let fresh air in and avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

#YouCan #WinterReady #ReadyOK

If your car begins to slide on icy roads, remember these tips 💡

1. DON’T panic. Take your foot off the gas and don’t slam on your brakes. 

2. DO turn gently into the slide; being careful not to overcorrect. 

3. Breathe and proceed with caution 👍

If you go off the road/into a snowbank, STAY in the vehicle. Call or signal for help, access your car emergency kit and know the symptoms, signs and treatments of frostbite and hypothermia. 

Learn more at https://oklahoma.gov/oem/readyok/be-aware/winter-weather.html

#ReadyOK #YouCan #WinterReady

Why risk it if you don’t have to? 🥶🤷🏻‍♀️ Stay off the roads if encouraged by local officials this winter season 🛑

If you must go out, drive s l o w l y with CAUTION! ⚠️

#YouCan #WinterReady #ReadyOK

If you see snow plows clearing roads this winter, just remember, they don’t want to clear you! 🤨 Give them plenty of room to work 💪

#DontCrowdSnowPlows #WinterReady #ReadyOK