The #WinterReady toolkit contains winter weather safety and preparedness messages you can share on your social media channels. You can either copy these messages directly or customize them to reach your audience.
What you should know about Being #WinterReady
- Know what to do before, during, and after a winter storm.
- Listen to local officials.
- Have emergency supplies in place at home, at work, and in the car.
- Stay off the road during and after a winter storm.
- Use a carbon monoxide alarm, especially if using alternative heating devices.
- Use heating devices safely.
Hashtags & Emojis
Feel free to add some fun emojis (the little pictures on your mobile phone keyboard) to your social messages.
- #WinterReady
Graphics & Outreach Materials
For more engaging content attach graphics to social media posts. Below are collections of winter weather safety related graphics & related links to outreach materials and graphics that you can share online.
General
- Get #WinterReady: make a plan to connect before a storm by text, e-mail, social media & cell: www.ready.gov/plan #WinterReady
- Learn how to stay safe before, during, & after winter storms & extreme cold by visiting: www.ready.gov/winter-weather #WinterReady
- Talk with your family about how to get prepared for extreme #cold weather: www.ready.gov/kids/know-the-facts/winter-storms-extreme-cold #WinterReady
- Before a winter storm, know what to do “When the Sky Turns Gray.” Watch this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVpGJ_Xl__w #WinterReady
- Follow weather alerts in up to 5 locations using the @fema app. Learn more: https://youtu.be/DtF18YHjG-I #WinterReady
- Stay safe during winter weather. Monitor weather alerts and have a preparedness kit ready. www.ready.gov/kit #WinterReady
- Prepare for winter storms and cold weather with the kids by playing the disaster master game: www.ready.gov/kids/games. Password hint: SLEET
- Snow Prep tips: check on neighbors, charge cell phones, find flashlights (check batteries) and follow local officials online. #WinterReady
- Talk to your job *before* it snows about weather policies and procedures. #WinterReady
Emergency Kit
- Include enough food, water, meds & anything used daily in your emergency kit to last for at least 72 hrs #WinterReady
- Before a #WinterStorm: Have emergency supplies ready in your home; when the storm hits, stay put and off the roads. #WinterReady
- #Winter is just around the corner. Get prepared by updating your emergency kit: www.ready.gov/kit #WinterReady
- Get ahead of #winter storms by making sure your emergency kit for your car is fully stocked: www.ready.gov/car #WinterReady
- Keep water, non-perishable food, and an extra set of warm clothes in the car in case you get stranded during winter weather. #WinterReady
- Prepare for #winter by keeping an emergency supply kit in your car with these extras:
- Jumper cables
- Flares or reflective triangle
- Ice scraper
- Car cell phone charger
- Cat litter or sand for better tire traction
- More: www.ready.gov/car #WinterReady
Outdoors & Traveling
- Cold can kill. Dress in layers, cover skin and limit time outside. www.ready.gov/winter-weather #WinterReady
- Shoveling snow can be a health risk, so remember to take it easy. Learn more at http://weather.gov/winter #WinterReady
- Stay off icy roads when #WinterStorm advisories & watches are issued. #WinterReady
- Winter Weather travel tip: follow directions from local officials & build an emergency car kit. More tips www.ready.gov/winter-weather
- Stay off roads during & after a #storm. If you must drive "Don't Crowd the Plow!" #WinterReady
- Hitting the road this winter? An emergency kit for your car might come in handy when you least expect it! #WinterReady
- Prepare your car for winter: keep your gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. #WinterReady
- Ice and snow, take it slow—slower speed, slower acceleration, slower steering, and slower braking. #WinterReady
- Snowstorm tip: clear snow & ice off fire hydrants so fire departments can gain access.
- Layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than one bulky layer. #WinterReady
- When it's freezing limit time outside and check on your neighbors! #WinterReady
- Freezing temperatures increase #frostbite risk. Learn the warning signs of frostbite: www.cdc.gov/winter-weather/about/ #WinterReady
- Many people die each year from heart attacks brought on by shoveling snow. Pace yourself & get your neighbors involved. #WinterReady
- Do your part to keep everyone safe on the roads this winter. Learn more at http://weather.gov/winter #WinterReady
Pets
- #WinterReady Tip: Bring your furry friends inside when temperatures take a dip! More pet prep tips: www.ready.gov/pets
- Tip: Wipe dog’s paws after each trip outside. Ice-melting chemicals or rock salt can cause irritation, sickness or be fatal #WinterReady
- #WinterReady Tip: Bring your furry friends inside when temperatures take a dip! More pet prep tips: www.ready.gov/pets
- Your pet may think antifreeze is sweet, but it can be deadly. Find out more: www.humanesociety.org/resources/five-ways-protect-pets-winter #WinterReady
Heating Safety
- Shivering, memory loss, and slurred speech signs of hypothermia. Learn the other signs at: www.cdc.gov/winter-weather/about/ #WinterReady
- Staying warm with a space heater? Make sure it has an auto shut-off in case it tips over. Check on family/friends today #WinterReady
- Winter fires can be deadly. When using your fireplace always keep a metal or heat tempered screen around it to stay safe. #WinterReady
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from a fireplace, wood stove, or space heater. #WinterReady
- Watch this short video from @usfa to learn how to prevent portable heater fires in your home this winter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AMQ1ASnmNU
- If you’re running a portable generator, you need to have a working carbon monoxide alarm in your home. #WinterReady
- #WinterReady Tip: NEVER use a generator, camp stove, charcoal grill, gasoline or propane heater indoors.
- NEVER heat a home by using the stovetop or oven. #WinterReady
- Keep generators outside at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, and vents to avoid accidental CO poisoning. #WinterReady
- Wear layered clothing and use blankets to stay warm during a #WinterStorm. #WinterReady
Power Outage Safety
- Winter storms can cause power outages. Share these tips & prepare now: www.ready.gov/power-outages
- Make a plan to check on neighbors if extreme cold or winter weather knocks out your power. #WinterReady
- Get the kids involved in preparing for power outages before winter weather. #WinterReady
- Power Outage tip: Dim the brightness in your cell phone settings to save battery life. #WinterReady
- Need to take shelter in extreme cold? Contact your local Office of Emergency Management to find a warming center near you: www.fema.gov/emergency-management-agencies #WinterReady