Some tips for battling bitter cold

Staff Reports Posted 14 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – These icicles hang off the St. Paul’s Baptist Church on Ingersoll Street in Albion with the Ingersoll lift bridge in the back, just south of the church. This photo was taken this morning at about 9:30.

The deep freeze is nearly upon us. Temperatures are forecast to reach a high of -3 degrees on Sunday and a low of -6, followed by Monday with a high of 5 degrees and a low of 2.

The Weather Service warns of life threatening wind chills that could fall to -35.

With temperatures plunging, the American Red Cross has issued 10 tips for battling the cold.

1. Wear layers of clothing to stay warm, along with a hat, mittens and waterproof, insulated boots.

2. Avoid frozen pipes – run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing.

3. Watch for hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia symptoms include confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Frostbite symptoms include numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, or waxy feeling skin.

4. Don’t forget your pets – bring them indoors. If they can’t come inside, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.

5. Check on your neighbors, especially elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.

6. Never use a generator indoors, even in a garage, carport, basement or crawlspace. Fumes from the generator can be deadly.

7. Never use a stove or oven to heat your home. If using a space heater, place it on a level, hard surface and keep children and anything flammable at least three feet away.

8. Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed. If using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

9. If your car breaks down, do not try to walk to safety. Tie a bright cloth to the antenna. Start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour, making sure the exhaust pipe is clear. Keep one window away from the wind slightly open.

10. Download the American Red Cross First Aid App for quick, expert advice on what to do in case of an emergency. This free app is available in your app store.

For more information, click here.