Full Notification

Gov. Andrew Cuomo today urged New Yorkers to exercise caution ahead of dangerously cold temperatures forecasted for many areas of the state this weekend.

Conditions are favorable for wind chill temperatures to meet or exceed local wind chill warning criteria in the next 24 to 72 hours. Wind chill temperatures may reach or exceed -25 degrees. A wind chill index below -30 degrees can cause frostbite in as little as 10 minutes. Outdoor exposure should be limited.

Please exercise caution, avoid all unnecessary travel and be prepared by keeping ample emergency supplies in their home and vehicles. If you are heading outdoors, dress in layers and keep your hands and head covered to protect against frostbite.

Safety Tips:

Frostbite
To avoid frostbite, stay inside during severe cold.  If you must go out, try to cover every part of your body: ears, nose, toes and fingers, etc. Mittens are better than gloves. Keep your skin dry.  Stay out of the wind when possible. Drink plenty of fluids since hydration increases the blood’s volume, which helps prevent frostbite.  Avoid caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes. Caffeine constricts blood vessels, preventing warming of your extremities.  Alcohol reduces shivering, which helps keep you warm. Cigarette use shuts off the blood flow to your hands.

Frozen Pipes

Prevent pipes from freezing by turning on both hot and cold water faucets slightly, preferably in a basement sink – running water will not freeze as quickly. Open cabinet doors to allow more heat to get to non-insulated pipes under a sink or appliance near an outer wall. If you plan to leave your residence, drain and shut off the water system (except indoor sprinkler systems).

If your pipes burst, make sure you and your family know how to shut off the water.  Stopping water flow minimizes damage to your home.  Call a plumber and contact your insurance agent.  Never try to thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch. Always be careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing water.

Fire Safety

Alternate sources of home heating are a major cause of winter residential fires.  Make sure all levels of your home have a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm and check it on a monthly basis. 

• Always keep a screen around an open flame.
• Never use gasoline to start your fireplace.
• Never burn charcoal indoors.
• Do not close the damper when ashes are hot.
• When using alternative heat sources such as a fireplace, woodstove, etc. always make sure you have proper ventilation. Keep curtains, towels and potholders away from hot surfaces.
• Have your chimney checked before the season for creosote buildup -- and then clean it.
• Establish a well-planned escape route with the entire family.  ​

Kerosene Heaters

If you use kerosene heaters to supplement your regular heating fuel, or as an emergency source of heat, follow these safety tips: 

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Use only the correct fuel for your unit.
• Refuel outdoors ONLY and only when the unit is cool.
• Keep the heater at least three feet away from furniture and other flammable objects.
• When using the heater, use fire safeguards and ventilate properly.​​​

Pet Tips

• Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside. If left outdoors, pets can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured or killed. In addition, don’t leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death.
•  If your dog is short-haired, consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly.  For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.