Winter Weather

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, poisonous gas that you cannot see or smell. It is produced when liquid, solid or gas fuel is burned — such as natural gas, propane, oil, charcoal, wood and wood pellets. Dozens of Vermonters go to the emergency room each year for CO-related symptoms. Between 2013 and 2016, at least one death every year was attributed to CO poisoning.

The colder months are an especially risky time for CO poisoning, when we turn on the heat and buildings are closed up tight. If you lose power, never run a generator, grill, camp stove, kerosene heater, or other fuel-burning equipment indoors. Have all fuel-burning heating systems and appliances inspected and serviced every year by a Vermont-certified technician, including furnaces, boilers, wood stoves, chimneys, hot water heaters, stoves and clothes dryers. Be sure to clear any snow away from vents of fuel-burning equipment so they don't get blocked. And never leave a vehicle running inside a garage, even if the door is open.

Install at least one CO alarm with a battery backup near all sleeping areas and on each level of your home, and test it monthly. Change the batteries when you change your clocks in the spring and fall.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headaches, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach and vomiting. These symptoms can be confused with the flu. Go outside immediately to get fresh air, then dial 9-1-1 if your CO alarm goes off or you suspect CO poisoning.

Check out a video and more tips on how to stay safe from CO poisoning

Frostbite happens when a part of your body is injured from freezing. It causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. People usually get frostbite on their nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or toes. Because frostbite causes tissue numbness, it is often hard to tell that it is even happening. Frostbite can cause permanent damage, and severe cases can lead to amputation.

Hypothermia happens when your body temperature is abnormally low. It is caused by being in very cold temperatures for an extended period of time, and can occur at milder temperatures if you are wet. When you are in cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it’s produced. Lengthy cold exposure can start to affect the brain, making it hard to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia especially dangerous, because you may not know it’s happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.

Covering your skin, dressing in layers, staying dry, and limiting your time outside are all ways to help prevent frostbite and hypothermia. Older adults and young children, people that spend a lot of time outdoors, and people with conditions that make it harder to regulate their body temperature are at highest risk.

Find out how to prevent hypothermia
Find out how to prevent and treat frostbite

Living in a cold home can increase the risk for heart and respiratory diseases, make arthritis worse, and increase stress and depression. Older adults and babies tend to suffer most in a cold home. If you need assistance with your fuel costs, weatherization services for your home, or help finding housing this winter, please contact Vermont 2-1-1.

During a winter storm, it can be cold, windy and snowy. A winter storm can last from a few hours to several days. Listen to the news for information, and stay at home if you can. 

See more winter weather safety tips

If the power goes out during a winter storm, you may be without power for a few hours or several days after the storm. Be prepared.

• Make sure you have enough food and water.
• Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep food cold.
• Have flashlights ready and extra batteries.
• Run generators outside to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Charge your cell phone fully.

See more tips on what to do when the power goes out

Walking on ice is extremely dangerous. Many people get injured in the winter from falling on ice-covered sidewalks, steps, driveways and porches. Keep your steps and walkways as free of ice as possible by clearing snow before it has a chance to melt and re-freeze. If ice develops, you can help it melt by using rock salt or another chemical de-icing compound. You can also sprinkle sand or wood ash over the ice to lower the risk of slipping.

Winter road conditions can be hazardous at times in Vermont. Make sure your vehicle is ready for winter, including snow tires, an ice scraper and an emergency kit. Pay attention to news and weather reports before heading out, and check road conditions at 511vt.com. 

When you have to be on the road during wintry weather, be careful. Drive slowly and brake gently on snowy and icy roads. Visit the Vermont Agency of Transportation's Winter Weather Central web page for up-to-date road and travel information. 

If you need to warm up your car, do it outside of a garage and in the open air to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

More winter driving safety tips from the Vermont State Police

Although it may not seem like a typical workout, shoveling snow can be strenuous. The cold weather combined with the physical exertion of shoveling can stress your heart and cause a heart attack. About 100 people die in the U.S. each year while shoveling snow. Older adults, individuals with pre-existing heart conditions, and people that are usually sedentary, are all at higher risk for a heart attack while shoveling snow. For help clearing snow, ask a neighbor or contact Vermont 2-1-1 or your local Area Agency on Aging.

Follow these tips to stay safe while shoveling

Warming temperatures due to climate change are making it less likely for ponds and lakes to be covered by ice. Even when there is cover, the ice is often thin and unstable. For 100 years (1851-1950), Lake Champlain completely froze over every year except for four. Since 2008, Lake Champlain has only completely frozen over three times.

A fall through ice can result in severe, or fatal, hypothermia or drowning. In fact, several Vermonters have died in recent years after falling through the ice while fishing, walking, snowmobiling or driving a vehicle over a lake or pond. Even if you have driven and walked over a frozen water body for many years, be sure to take caution and watch for thin ice.

Learn more about ice safety from the Department of Fish & Wildlife

Wood provides a local, renewable and affordable heating fuel for many Vermonters. In fact, 38% of Vermont homes burn wood for heat, either as their main or second source of heat. Using an older stove or not burning wood properly can result in poor air quality both inside and outside your home, which can cause health problems. There are a few simple steps you can do to reduce air pollution, burn less wood and save money.

Follow these steps to burn a cleaner fire