Take Safety Precautions in the Extreme Cold

According to my car's temperature reading, it was as cold as -12°F this morning. Factoring in the 10 to 12mph winds we have blowing across Northeast Ohio this morning, and temperatures easily feel as if it's at least -25°F. In extreme cold such as this, it is important take take several precautions to protect not only yourself and your loved ones, but also your pets and home.

The number one tip for cold weather is to limit your outdoor activity, and cover any exposed skin when you do have to venture out in the cold. At the temperatures forecast, frostbite can occur in just a few minutes. Keep warm by dressing in layers and try to stay dry. Now is not a good time to go sledding, as tempting as the nicely packed snow may be. Avoid prolonged exposure to the cold, hypothermia can easily set in.

If you have pets, make sure they stay indoors. If they must be left outdoors, make sure they have shelter, extra food, and water. Pets burn more calories trying to stay warm, and dehydration can be a serious problem in the winter.

If you have to travel or drive anywhere, make sure your vehicle is adequately prepared. Keep a winter storm kit in your vehicle in the event that your car breaks down or you become stuck in the snow. Keep your cell phone fully charged before hitting the road.

If you use space heaters for extra warmth, use them with extreme caution. Be sure that wall sockets and electrical cords do not feel warm to the touch, and avoid using extension cords with heaters. Check to make sure that nothing is stored near your chimney or vent pipe. When furnaces are running constantly, vent pipes can become extremely hot, posing a fire hazard if anything flammable is nearby. Never ever fill a kerosene or catalytic heater in doors, and make sure to let it cool down before you refill it.

If you have plumbing in crawl spaces, along outside walls, in unheated attic or ceiling areas, or in any other vulnerable locations, allow a small stream of water to run overnight to help stave off the potential for frozen pipes. You may also want to leave sink cabinet doors open. In the event your pipes do freeze, it's best to call in a professional plumber as home remedies could make it worse.

Lastly, make sure to check in on your elderly family, friends, and neighbors frequently. In extreme temperatures such as these, there are actually more weather related deaths on average than during hurricanes, lightning and severe storms combined.

While the sun will help to lessen the impact of wind chill later this morning, temperatures will remain around -10°F through the night.