The National Weather Service is warning of the potential for dangerous wind chill today and Thursday. Temperatures today are forecast to be 12 to 20 degrees with a wind chill of zero to 10. Temperatures could drop to 2 degrees Thursday morning with a wind chill of negative 5.
Indoor Safety
- Check the temperature in your home often. Infants shouldn’t sleep in a cold room because they lose body heat easier than adults.
- Use fireplace, wood stoves or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside. Never use a charcoal or gas grill indoors.
- Do not place a space heater within 3 feet of anything that might catch fire. Do not plug it into an extension cord.
- Never leave lit candles unattended.
Outdoor Safety
- Understand the hazards of wind chill, which combines the cooling effect of wind and cold temperatures on exposed skin.
- If you must go outside, several layers of lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Gloves (or mittens) and a hat will prevent loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs.
- Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks.
- If you shovel snow, be extremely careful. It is physically strenuous work, so take frequent breaks. Avoid overexertion.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
Water expands as it freezes and puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. Pipes that freeze most frequently are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Also, pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing. Tips to prevent pipes from freezing:
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children.
- When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe — even at a trickle — helps prevent pipes from freezing because the temperature of the water running through it is above freezing.
- Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
- If you will be going away, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees.
- Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
- Make sure your water meter lid is firmly on the meter box. Do not remove the lid because insulating air in the box will be released. If the meter has frozen before, pack newspapers, leaves or insulation around the meter in the box, replace the lid and cover it leaves or insulating material.