Snow survival 101: How to stay safe during a winter storm

• That includes large chunks of Texas and the Southeast, areas ill-prepped for snow management and removal.
• Even major coastal cities more traditionally suited to snow, like New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., haven't experienced a storm of this magnitude in a decade.

Snow survival 101

Prep for a disruption to daily life, especially if you live in an area that doesn't experience much wintry weather or you end up under the storm's bullseye. That could mean impassable roads or prolonged utility outages, so make sure food is stocked and batteries are charged.

Beware of a freeze. If your power goes out, nothing will make your life worse than frozen pipes. Open your cabinet doors to circulate whatever warmth is in your house around your pipes to lower the freeze risk. You can also let your outdoor spigots run at a trickle to prevent then from freezing.

Layer up. If you want to stay warm while you're outside, like while you're shoveling all that snow, sweat is your worst enemy. Remove middle layers when you start to heat up. Keep a moisture-wicking layer closest to your body and your weatherproof layer on the outside.

• Axios Chicago's Monica Eng has more tips on staying warm, both inside and outside.

Check yourself. It's easier to shovel two inches of snow three times rather than six inches once. The American Heart Association notes that shoveling snow can increase a person's risk for a cardiac event, especially men. Push snow when possible, rather than lifting it, though use your knees if you must.

• And remember: using a snowblower isn't a guaranteed salve: research shows pushing one can similarly raise heart rate and blood pressure.

Watch your exhaust. During big snowfalls, your furnace exhaust pipe can become obstructed, forcing deadly carbon monoxide into your home. Similarly, you should never use generators or gas grills indoors during a power outage. Consider a carbon monoxide detector to stay safe.

Don't eat it. Forever chemicals, vehicle emissions, dust and microplastics are often hidden in snow, especially near industrialized areas or large cities, warns Axios Denver's John Frank.

Driving tips

If you're getting behind the wheel, the first bit of advice from Axios' resident upstate New Yorker Alex Fitzpatrick is don't. Get the bread and milk, prep for potential power outages and find your coziest blankets ahead of time. But should driving be necessary:

• Clear your car. Get the ice and snow off your car first. (If you don't have a garage, pop your windshield wipers before the snow starts.) Don't just do the windows — get the roof, hood, headlights, etc. You don't want chunks of snow flying off your car into the people behind you.
• Take it slow. Give yourself way more time than usual to slow down and make turns. Use your car's AWD/4WD, traction control, and/or "snow mode," if so equipped. Keep your lights and hazards on to stay visible if it's actively snowing.
• More of Alex's snow driving tips.

Caring for pets

There's extreme cold forecasted alongside all this precipitation, and that means keeping your furry friends in mind, too, per Axios Detroit's Joe Guillen.

• "If it feels too cold for you to be outside with a coat on for a long period of time, it probably is too cold for the animals, too," says veterinarian Lauren Zeid of Burrwood Veterinary.
• Don't skip walks for your dogs entirely. Remember that jackets can help warm their core and booties can protect paws from cold, salt and ice.
• Doodles and other curly-haired dogs often collect ice balls in their paws. A wire whisk can remove them quickly.
• More pet safety tips.

Axios' Danielle Alberti, Ben Berkowitz, Justin Green and Carrie Shepherd contributed snow safety tips.