Winter Weather Safety Social Media Toolkit

How to Use this Toolkit

The Winter Weather Preparedness Social Media 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 Winter Weather

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.
Have a carbon monoxide alarm in place, especially if using alternative heating devices.
Use safe heating devices.

Hashtags & Emojis

#WinterSafety
#GetReady
#PrepareAthon if you are conducting a preparedness exercise, tabletop discussion, or sharing a preparedness-in-action moment.
Feel free to add some fun emoji’s (the little pictures on your mobile phone keyboard) to your social messages.

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.

Twitter Content

General

Make a plan to connect before a #WinterStorm by text, e-mail, social media & cell: http://go.usa.gov/cChR3 #WinterSafety
Learn how to stay safe before, during, & after winter storms & extreme cold by visiting: www.ready.gov/winter #WinterSafety
Talk with your family about how to get prepared for extreme #cold weather: http://go.usa.gov/cr42T
Before a winter storm, know what to do “When the Sky Turns Gray.” Watch this: http://bit.ly/1IBzFOY #PrepareAthon #WinterSafety
Follow @PrepareAthon to guide you through preparing for a winter storm ready.gov/prepare #WinterSafety #PrepareAthon
Follow weather alerts in up to 5 locations using the @fema app. Learn more: https://youtu.be/DtF18YHjG-I #WinterSafety
Stay safe during winter weather. Monitor weather alerts and have a preparedness kit ready. http://www.ready.gov/kit #WinterSafety
Prepare for winter weather. Learn tips and best practices for #WinterSafety at www.ready.gov/prepare #PrepareAthon
Will you know what to do when a #WinterStorm arrives? Get the scoop at ready.gov/prepare. #PrepareAthon #WinterSafety
Don’t let #WinterStorms freeze your preparedness planning! Be ready ahead of time with #PrepareAthon ready.gov/prepare #WinterSafety
Will you know what to do when a #WinterStorm arrives? Get the info you need: ready.gov/prepare #PrepareAthon #WinterSafety

Emergency Kit

Include enough food, water, meds & anything used daily in your emergency kit to last for at least 72 hrs #WinterSafety
Before a #WinterStorm: Have emergency supplies ready in your home; when the storm hits, stay put and off the roads. #WinterSafety
#Winter is just around the corner. Get prepared by updating your emergency kit: www.ready.gov/kit #WinterSafety
Get ahead of #Winter storms by making sure your emergency kit for your car is fully stocked: www.ready.gov/car #WinterSafety
Hitting the road this winter? An emergency kit for your car might come in handy when you least expect it! #WinterSafety
Keep water, non-perishable food, and an extra set of warm clothes in the car in case you get stranded during winter weather. #WinterSafety
Seasons change and so should your car’s disaster kit! Winterize your wheels with these emergency items. #WinterSafety

Outdoors & Traveling

During a #SnowStorm: Listen to local officials, stay off roads, charge devices in case power goes out, and check on neighbors. #WinterSafety
Stay off icy roads when #WinterStorm advisories & watches are issued. #WinterSafety
Stay off roads during & after a #WinterStorm. If you must drive "Don't Crowd the Plow!" #WinterSafety
Stay off roads during a #WinterStorm. If you must travel be prepared with these tips. #WinterSafety
Prepare your car for winter: keep your gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. #WinterSafety
Ice and snow, take it slow—slower speed, slower acceleration, slower steering, and slower braking. #WinterSafety
#SnowStorm tip: clear snow & ice off of fire hydrants so fire departments can gain access. [attach graphic]
Layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than one bulky sweater. #WinterSafety
Babies are most often affected by hypothermia. Learn preventive tips for them at: http://bit.ly/1BJoQth #WinterSafety
Hypothermia is caused by cold temps & wet/windy weather. Get more facts about how to prevent it: http://1.usa.gov/1ESt0v9 #WinterSafety
Freezing temperatures increase #frostbite risk. Learn the warning signs of frostbite: http://1.usa.gov/1zXtAFa #WinterSafety
Many people die each year from heart attacks brought on by shoveling snow. Pace yourself & get your neighbors involved. #WinterSafety

Pets

#WinterSafety Tip: Bring your furry friends inside when temperatures take a dip! More pet prep tips: www.ready.gov/pets
Don't forget to wipe your dog’s paws! Ice-melting chemicals can make your pet sick. #WinterSafety
Rock salt may help melt snow and ice, but the chemicals can be fatal to your pets. Clean their paws after each trip outside! #WinterSafety
Your pet may think antifreeze is sweet, but it’s not a dessert! Find out more: http://bit.ly/1vKcaws #WinterSafety

Heating Safety

Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from a fireplace, wood stove, or space heater. #WinterSafetyWatch 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
Be careful trying to stay warm this winter. Using unsafe heating devices indoors can cause CO poisoning! #WinterSafety
If you’re running a portable generator, you need to have a working Carbon Monoxide alarm in your home. #WinterSafety
#WinterSafety Tip: NEVER use a generator, camp stove, charcoal grill, gasoline or propane heater indoors.
NEVER heat a home by using the stovetop or oven. #WinterSafety
Keep generators outside at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, and vents to avoid accidental CO poisoning. #WinterSafety
Wear layered clothing and use blankets to stay warm during a #WinterStorm. #WinterSafety
Winter fire safety: use portable heaters with an automatic shut-off to avoid risk of fire if the device tips over. #WinterSafety

Power Outage Safety

#WinterStorms can cause power outages. Share these tips and prepare now: http://go.usa.gov/GENz [attach graphic]
Make a plan to check on neighbors if extreme cold or winter weather knocks out your power. #WinterSafety
Get the kids involved in preparing for power outages before winter weather: http://go.usa.gov/GEnT #WinterSafety
#Blackout tip: Dim the brightness in your cell phone settings to save battery life. #WinterSafety
Need to take shelter in extreme cold? Contact your local Office of Emergency Management to find a warming center near you. #WinterSafety

Facebook Content

General

Make a plan to connect before a #WinterStorm by text, e-mail, social media & cell: http://go.usa.gov/cChR3 #WinterSafety
Learn how to stay safe before, during, and after winter storms/extreme cold by visiting: www.ready.gov/winter #WinterSafety
Talk with your family about how to get prepared for extreme #cold weather: http://go.usa.gov/cr42T
Prepare your community with guides and drills the next storm by visiting www.ready.gov/prepare #PrepareAthon #WinterSafety [attach Winter Storm Preparedness Takes Action. Join In! Image]
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. #WinterSafety
How prepared or UNprepared are you for a #WinterStorm? Learn what to do, “When the Sky Turns Gray.” http://bit.ly/1IBzFOY #WinterSafety #PrepareAthon [insert How UnPrepared Are You for Winter Storms image]
Extreme weather including winter storms can be stressful. Trained counselors at the Disaster Distress Helpline are ready to listen 24/7 by calling: 1-800-985-5990 or by texting TalkWithUs to 66746 (msg/data rates apply). For more information visit: http://disasterdistress.samhsa.gov.
#‎WinterWeather travel tip: follow directions from local officials and build an emergency car kit. More tips and information: http://go.usa.gov/BWuV #WinterSafety

Emergency Kit

Include enough food, water, meds & anything used daily in your emergency kit to last for at least 72 hrs #WinterSafety
Before a #WinterStorm: Have emergency supplies ready in your home; when the storm hits, stay put and off the roads. #WinterSafety
#Winter is just around the corner. Get prepared by updating your emergency kit: www.ready.gov/kit #WinterSafety
Hitting the road this winter? An emergency kit for your car might come in handy when you least expect it! #WinterSafety
Seasons change and so should your car’s disaster kit! Winterize your wheels with these emergency items. #WinterSafety

Outdoors & Traveling

These #WinterWeather items may come in handy if driving: a shovel, salt/sand, ice scraper, blankets, water, extra clothing & flashlight. Keep them in your trunk just in case! #WinterSafety
When it's freezing... limit time outside and check on your neighbors! #WinterSafety
Stay off roads during and after a #WinterStorm. If you must drive "Don't Crowd the Plow!" #WinterSafety
Prepare your car for winter: keep your gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. #WinterSafety
Ice and snow, take it slow—slower speed, slower acceleration, slower steering, and slower braking. #WinterSafety
#WinterSafety Tip: Bring your furry friends inside when temperatures take a dip! More pet prep tips: www.ready.gov/pets
Prepare your pooch for cold weather! Tip: Wipe your dog’s paws after each trip outside. Ice-melting chemicals can be fatal; they may also make your pet sick or cause irritation to their skin and mouth. #WinterSafety

Heating Safety

As the mercury falls, you may use portable heating sources to warm your home. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths in the U.S. There are steps you can take to prevent this tragedy. How do you stay safe when using these devices? http://bit.ly/1MJ9Lrl #WinterSafety
Space heaters cause one-third of home heating fires and 4 out of 5 home heating fires deaths. Protect your family: if you're heating your home with a space heater this winter, take a few moments to review these safety tips from the U.S. Fire Administration: http://go.usa.gov/crYcC #WinterSafety
Winter is here and it’s time to think about cold weather safety; specifically hypothermia. Older adults, babies, and people who are outdoors for long periods have an increased risk for hypothermia. Get prepared now and visit: http://1.usa.gov/1LYH5Ly #WinterSafety
Shivering, memory loss, and slurred speech are just some of the signs of hypothermia. If you see any of these signs with your loved ones, call 911 immediately.Learn the other signs of hypothermia here: http://1.usa.gov/1LYH5Ly #WinterSafety

Power Outage Safety

Conserve power to avoid power outages during extreme cold. Only use appliances with heavy electrical loads (dishwashers, washers, dryers) early in the morning or late at night. For more tips and information visit: www.ready.gov/power-outage. #WinterSafety
Power outages can leave you without a way to communicate, but if you are prepared, they don’t have to! What items would you include in your disaster kit to help you stay safe during a power outage this winter? #WinterSafety