Community Corner

5 Tips for Keeping Safe in the Cold

Bitter cold is gripping the region. Here's how to stay safe.

The American Red Cross offers these safety tips for cold weather:

  • If you have to go outside, wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing body heat.
  • Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of hypothermia, including confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering.
  • Watch for symptoms of frostbite, including: numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, or waxy feeling skin.
  • Avoid frozen pipes: Run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. (Move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children.) Keep the garage doors closed if there are water lines in the garage. 
  •  Don’t forget family 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.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here